Dannine Johnson was born in New Orleans, LA.  During her childhood, she also lived in Houston, TX and Northern California.  She was raised by a single mother with her three sisters.  Her mother was not only on welfare, but she also worked at the welfare office and at night at a fast-food restaurant to support her family.  With her mother focused on providing for her daughters, education and greatness were not emphasized in her home.  They were too busy trying to survive, but Dannine found inner satisfaction in competing and winning, and learning and teaching.  She would race the neighborhood boys and win.  She would win awards for her good grades.  She wanted to master everything she touched.  No one knew how competitive she was, because she was so shy...and no one would have ever thought that that shy, little girl from New Orleans would become such a great, outspoken leader who is passionate when it comes to advocating for others. 

When Dannine was in the fourth grade, her mom rented a house that had a small, one-room shack  in the backyard.  One day, Dannine and her twin sister decided to cut all the vines that were growing around it, patch the holes in the wood, sweep it, and decorate it like a classroom.  They hung a bedsheet in the front of the shack that acted as a door.  They held “school” in that shack for the younger kids in the neighborhood.  Her aunt worked as a custodian at an elementary school and she would give Dannine and her sister all of the old worksheets, books, and other school supplies that were being thrown away.  
A product of New Orleans public schools, Dannine was determined not to be dependent on anyone or anything.  In her senior year of high school, her counselor convinced her to apply to college.  She applied to three HBCUs and was accepted to all three.  Although she knew no one in Washington, D.C. and would have no financial support from her family, Dannine decided to accept what seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend Howard University.  Dannine arrived at Howard with all her belongings and $100 that her uncle gave her with the determination of never returning “home”.

While at Howard University, Dannine gave birth to her first son who also attended classes with her in a stroller.  Dannine never felt like her son would prevent her from receiving her degree.  In fact, she has always felt her son saved her life.  While pregnant, she had an internship in Hartford, CT with United Technologies.  She was also president of the Howard chapter Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).  In May 1998, Dannine walked across the stage with her son to receive her Bachelor’s degree in computer systems engineering from Howard University.  

With her engineering degree in hand, Dannine began her career in the private sector working for companies such as TRW, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Northrop Grumman, and Anteon Corporation as a system administrator and network engineer.  She eventually went into public service to work for the Federal government.  A committed public servant, Dannine served as a Chapter Vice President and Chief Steward for my local chapter of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).  I was eventually elected as a National Vice President for NTEU on served on the Executive Board.  She was a strong advocate for Federal workers' workplace rights and a fair labor contract at her agency and on Capitol Hill.  In September 2019, Dannine was honored to speak at a rally on the Capitol lawn where U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen also spoke.  

A proponent of public education, Ms. Johnson served as the PTSA president for Central High School from 2018 to 2021.  Advocating for students at Central, enforced her passion for student advocacy.  When a computer lab that should have been complete over a summer was not completed by the third week of school, Dannine wanted answers, not excuses.  She personally spoke with the CEO and worked with the administration to get the lab completed with working computers within a week after her initial contact with the CEO.  In 2020, as PTSA president Ms. Johnson worked closely with the school to put on the inaugural Men Making a Difference Day program which had CHS alum as speakers including current Maryland State Treasurer Dereck E.  Davis.  The program was covered by ABC Channel 7 News.
A strong advocate for all children, Dannine has volunteered with the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Prince George’s County since 2013.  She has been a member of CASA's Volunteer Advisory Council (VAC) since September 2019 and the past Chair for the Engagement and Fundraising Committee.  Working with abused and neglected children and being able to give her time and attention to those children has been one of the most satisfying things she has ever done.  She wants all children to feel loved and wanted. 

Dannine has called Prince George's County home for nearly 30 years.  She was recently elected to her HOA Board of Directors as the secretary.  As a single mother of two sons, who both went to public schools, Dannine dedicated her life to ensuring her sons developed a sense of self-love, family ties, and independence.  Her life is defined by her passion and love for her family which pours into her passion for all children.  She has always known she would help others since her days of teaching neighborhood children in a shack behind a house her family rented.  Still, it took many years to understand that service to others is the surest route to inner peace and a meaningful life.  Dannine saw how education opened doors for her and wants to the education received in Prince George's County to open doors to open doors for our students.  As the saying goes, "Knowledge is Power".  Power comes in the form of confidence, self-esteem, and success.  Every child deserves an equal chance at success.  Personal and social circumstances should not prevent them from achieving their academic potential.  Regardless of background, race, or location, all children deserve access to a high-quality education that fits their needs.  As Marian Wright Edelman said, “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it”.

About Dannine