Inspiration led to action for senior Dreana Johnson, one of three finalists in the Pepsi We Inspire contest.
The national contest asks applicants to submit videos showing how they inspire others through one of the Pepsi We Inspire core tenets: beauty, laughter, joy, hope, wisdom and love.
“I chose love,” Johnson said. “I love to inspire people and I do it through love. I’m a loving and caring person. I will never give you any kind of negative feedback. I’m always positive and supportive.”
Johnson’s video showcased her own creation, Black Women Rock, an annual ceremony that honors achievements made by women of color in Columbia. Last year, Black Women Rock honored 27 women in a ceremony that included performances and guest speakers, including the first African American woman chosen as homecoming queen at MU, Jill Young-Menears.
Johnson’s inspiration for the program is Black Girls Rock, a motivational program geared towards young women. The program includes a show on BET that honors achievements made by iconic women of color. Johnson said Black Women Rock is different from Black Girls Rock because it honors women who aren’t necessarily famous or well-known.
“We’re trying to show people in Columbia that many black women here, not just students, rock too,” Johnson said. “From young kids to older adults, the people we recognize are doing amazing things. I think that just seeing the achievements of other people is an inspiration, and you don’t just have to be a woman to be inspired by the women we honor.”
Johnson said her favorite Black Women Rock honoree was Mary White, who had worked at Eva J’s since 1971. In addition to caring for her physically impaired husband and working, White successfully fought cancer.
“When I was reading her biography I was in tears,” Johnson said.
As a finalist, Johnson could win the Pepsi We Inspire contest grand prize: an all-expense-paid trip to this year’s taping of the show in November, as well as a featured editorial spot on BET’s website, BET.com. Johnson said attending the show is something she’s always wanted to do and that being on BET.com would be a dream come true.
“If I win I hope I can use it spread my message,” Johnson said. “I pray and hope that people will see that if I can keep going and chasing my dreams, then they can too.”
Johnson’s video was posted to the contest website and people voted for their favorite. The voting ended on Sept. 28, and the winner will be announced Oct. 10.
Johnson is an English major with a Black Studies minor. She is also the historian for the Target HOPE Gamma Chapter, and was a member of both the National Association of Black Journalist Alé Chapter and the United Ambassador Student Recruitment Team.
Johnson said she knows she wants to help people.
“I just want to help people and make the world a better place,” she said. “I just want to be positive and make people smile while they think about the positive things in life. Of course there will be bad times for people but I want to be the person to give them a little push to keep going.”