Lori Alexis McGill Johnson[1][2] (born August 5, 1972) is an American businesswoman and abortion rights advocate. She is the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood.
Lori Alexis McGill Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Alexis McGill Johnson in 2020 | |
| President and CEO of Planned Parenthood | |
| Assumed office July 16, 2019 Acting: July 16, 2019 – June 26, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Leana Wen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 5, 1972 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Spouse | Robert Johnson |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) Yale University (MA) |
Early life and education
editMcGill Johnson was born in New York City in 1972 and raised by her mother and father.[3] Her mother worked her way up from a secretary to an executive-level position at AT&T. McGill Johnson's childhood was strongly influenced by her parents' pride in black culture.[4]
In 1993, she graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor's degree in political science and a focus in Latin-American social movements.[2][5] She went on to receive a Master of Arts from Yale University in 1995, also in political science.[6][7][8]
Career
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McGill Johnson taught political science and African-American studies at both Yale and Wesleyan University. She served as political director for Russell Simmons' "Hip-Hop Summit Action Network", and was the executive director of Citizen Change during the 2004 election season, launching their "Vote or Die!" campaign.[9]
In 2009, she co-founded the Perception Institute (formerly known as the American Values Institute), a research group studying bias reduction and discrimination, and was their executive director. She co-created the curriculum for Starbucks' racial bias training in May 2018.[2]
On July 16, 2019, McGill Johnson was announced as Planned Parenthood's acting president after the termination of Leana Wen. McGill Johnson was previously a board member and was the board's chair from 2013 to 2015.[10] At that time, the Perception Institute listed her as being "on leave."[11] On June 26, 2020, she was elevated to permanent president and CEO of Planned Parenthood.[12]
McGill Johnson has also served on the boards of the New York Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Social Inclusion, and Citizen Engagement Lab.[9]
Awards and honors
edit- In 2023, McGill Johnson appeared in Politico's Playbook Power List for her work in wake of the repeal of Roe v. Wade[13]
- In 2023, McGill Johnson was selected for STAT's Status List for her work in helping patients[14]
- In 2024, McGill Johnson was recognized by CNN As Equals for her work as a social justice leader[15]
Personal life
editShe lives in New York City. She is married to Robert Johnson, who is the president of the Institute for New Economic Thinking.[16] They have two daughters.[17]
References
edit- ^ "Alexis McGill Johnson Is Making Her Mark on Planned Parenthood". ELLE. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b c McGill-Johnson, Lori Alexis (31 December 2018). "What I Learned: Teaching Baristas About Bias". Princeton Alumni Weekly. Princeton University. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Meet the New Head of Planned Parenthood: Alexis McGill Johnson Is a Seasoned Soldier in the War for Women's Reproductive Health". The Glow Up. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
- ^ Initiative Radio, IR-10-25 Alexis McGill Johnson, retrieved 2019-07-24
- ^ "Activist fights voter apathy". Lewiston Sun Journal. 2005-02-23. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
- ^ Fennimore, Jack (2019-07-16). "Alexis McGill Johnson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
- ^ "Black Woman Yale Grad Is New Acting President of Planned Parenthood". Black Enterprise. 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
- ^ Marks, Mindy (June 25, 2018). "Yale Alumni Association Hosts Panel Discussion on Black Women, Beauty, and Perception". YaleWomen. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
- ^ a b "Alexis McGill Johnson". othering & belonging. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
- ^ "Planned Parenthood Announces New Leadership". www.plannedparenthood.org. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
- ^ "Team". Perception Institute. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
- ^ "Alexis McGill Johnson Named Permanent President and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund". www.plannedparenthood.org. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
- ^ "Recast Power List 2023: The most powerful people on race and politics". Politico. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Alexis McGill Johnson: President & CEO, Planned Parenthood". STAT. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "International Womens Day 2024: 30 people defending women's and LGTBQ+ rights around the world". CNN. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Institute for New Economic Thinking". Institute for New Economic Thinking.
- ^ Read, Bridget (April 7, 2020). "How the Acting Head of Planned Parenthood Gets It Done". The Cut.
External links
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