Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Utrena Johnson.
Hi Dr. Johnson, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Dr. Utrena Johnson, an ordained Elder, and mother of three understand firsthand how limited opportunities could dwarf one’s view of limitless possibilities. Refusing to allow geographic or mundane thinking to define her present or shape her future, Kershaw set course on a journey to rise above her circumstance. As a method to rebuke the negative comments of a local police officer during her sophomore year of college, Johnson wrote her first professional play, “Lord Lift Us Up”, and it was then she came to understand the power of telling a story and how it could divinely mold the destiny of those experiencing it. In 1998, that beginning sparked a journey where Kershaw founded Utrena J Productions and has written and produced forty-five gospel stage plays to date. In 2013, Johnson leaped from the stage to Television with the successful launch of her first TV Series, “Changes” where over 48,000 tuned in to watch on the CW Network and thousands via the internet, COMCAST, and Verizon cable networks. Over the years Johnson has faced many challenges but none have proven greater than her God. Her relentless drive to make change where change is needed propelled her to open One Hope Performing Arts Center in 2014 where she bridged youth to success through the arts and media. Her program extended to Youth Build Spartanburg where she received a servant’s award. In 2018, Johnson was recognized for a lifetime commitment to community, empowering youth, and women in a major way. She received an honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities, nominated by someone who had witnessed her servitude from a distance over the span of many years. Utrena J Productions’ latest project, “Love Changes Everything”, is a Series set to debut, in February 2023.
With all, that’s going on with this entrepreneur, women’s advocate, motivational speaker, and teacher of the Gospel. there is no slowdown in sight. Johnson is staying busy and happy with expanding her latest business venture, “One Take Events”. GOne Take Events, is a full-service event planning business that’s embarking upon its second-year anniversary. We specialize in providing rental space and event planning services for weddings, receptions, birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, business launches, and so much more.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but what I’ve found is that God has been with me every step of the way. The best way to answer this question is to say, He gave me tough feet.
Financing, finding support, and being disciplined have been challenging. Over the years, I’ve been able to overcome the challenges. Some battles were lost and some won. What I’ve tried to do faithfully, is be a student of my experiences so that I can learn from the valley moments and elevate from those mountain-top experiences.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Since 2018, I’ve written stories of inspiration for the stage and film through my company, Utrena J Productions. Well over forty stage plays have been produced for the masses. These stories of uplift were created to empower, educate, and inspire life-long spiritual growth.
I also own an event center where I provide full-service event planning. Whether we’re renting a space, decorating, planning, executing, or consulting, our goal is to create unforgettable moments for families and their friends.
I’m also a proud member of ETA Alpha Sorority, Inc. My journey began in 2021 with this illustrious sorority. On a journey to find “more”, I “stumbled” upon a post on Facebook about a bible-based sorority and its upcoming interest meeting. I immediately reached out for more information.
Joining ETA has been the gift that keeps on giving. Through service, support, leadership, and fellowship, I’ve grown by leaps and bounds. Prior to this, I had never experienced a connection so strong between women. I was used to pouring out but had not been accustomed to receiving back on a consistent basis like these women have proven to do faithfully.
Founded by Meelah Lowery in 2015, our sisterhood is defined by the passion, tenacity, and breadth of every Sister of Eta who is here and who is due to come. It is our culture that feels familiar and sound. It is resilient in that while we have experienced so many great moments in our first 7 years, ones that are to never be forgotten, they have nothing on what will be.
Our sisterhood is a culture that is arguably one of the most enriching of them all and we are building it effortlessly.
Today, we have adopted 3 areas of focus:
Ministry- studying the Word of God, using your prophetic gifts, bearing witness by sharing the good news, fellowship, and more.
Sisterhood- devoting an unlimited amount of time to interfacing, engaging, empowering, covering, praying for, and serving each Sister of Eta.
A theory-turned-concept that formed at the precipice of restructuring, rebranding, and realigning with the will of God, has become the new “way of life” in Eta. Such concepts required divine direction which came from God during a time when our Founding Onyx was in a place of reflection, prayer, and fasting. This time she took would birth a shift. This shift, one that God ensured would be attainable, achievable, and measurable, impacts the Sorority’s operation in 4 areas:
Sorority- effectuating the business operations by adhering to the Active and Financial status requirements.
1. Sisterhood
Traditions
Rituals
Sister Sister
Team-building
2. Expansion
Governance
Influence
Value
Enrichments
Identity
3. Kingdom-serving
Missions
Outreach
Philanthropy
4. Alliance-Development
Strategic Partnerships
Resource Development
Resource Sustainability
Fraternal Collaborations
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
It has taken a village for me to be able to do what I do. My children, without fail, have kept me from failing. There have been many times I wanted to quit, but their existence and encouragement have always been a light through many dark days. My parents have been the greatest supporters of me on my journey, Carolyn and James Kershaw Sr. (deceased). While my dad has passed on, his words of wisdom and care still linger and motivate me to no end. My mentor, John Smith Jr. also deserves a great deal of celebration win, lose, or draw over the years with my ventures, he has stayed the course with me.
My Sorority Sisters of Eta Alpha Sorority Inc., hands down have been an intricate part of Act 2 of my life. Because of their level of excellence, I’ve grown and evolved into a better version of myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.onetakeevent.center
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etaalphasorority
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/utrenaj
