Born on February 1 under the sign of Aquarius, Miss Rhonda L. Johnson (M/R Johnson) reflects the values often associated with the spirit of the Age of Aquarius — innovation, humanitarian service, collaboration, and collective healing.
Miss Johnson is a proud native of Washington, D.C., where she currently resides. She is a Certified Peer Specialist, CEO, Author, Consultant, and the founder of Now Hope 2 Reality, LLC, a Certified Business Enterprise.
Driven by a deep commitment to addressing stigma, misunderstanding, and the lack of awareness surrounding co-occurring disorders related to addiction and mental health, Miss Johnson has dedicated her life to advocacy, education, and empowerment through literary work, public speaking, community engagement, and peer leadership.
In 2019, Miss Johnson was appointed to the Washington, D.C. Mayor’s Opioid Fatality Review Board, contributing to meaningful conversations and community-driven solutions surrounding the opioid crisis.
During 2020, she served as part of the Department of Health Rapid Peer Responder Program, distributing Narcan, harm-reduction resources, and critical support throughout Washington, D.C. during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, she received the prestigious Advocate of the Year Award from Faces & Voices of Recovery, recognizing her dedication, leadership, and continued impact within the recovery and behavioral health community.
PUBLISHED WORK
M/R Johnson’s books are ideal resources for staff development, workgroup seminars, summits, cultural competency training, and strategy-building workshops. They can be utilized for in-person and virtual workshops for both adults and young adults who are ready for hope and change.
THE MAYOR’S OPIOID FATALITY REVIEW BOARD PRESENTATION
DC WALK 4 RECOVERY
In 2018, Ms. Johnson became the visionary founder and lead organizer of the DC Walk 4 ReCovery, a free, family-friendly community event held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Located across from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Washington Monument, the event took place in 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 & 2025.
With the support of committee team members, contributors, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and participants—the event has drew thousands of attendees to the National Mall that supported hope for a Call to Action to Establish establishing a National Co-Occurring Disorders Awareness Day, Week, or Month.
BOARD & MEMBERSHIP
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U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia Heroin & Opioid Working Group
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Appointed to the Washington, DC Mayor’s Opioid Fatality Review Board
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Department of Behavioral Health Integrational Stakeholder Advisory Group
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The Opioid Solutions Working Group