Physical beauty is often the first gift that Mother Nature bestows upon a woman. Yet because Mother Nature is the consummate Indian Giver, it is often the first one that she takes back. If you spoke to the reigning Miss. Jamaica US, Diane Johnson, 24, she would tell you that true beauty is not found in the inviting smile on a pretty face, but in the genuine warmth that emanates from a tender and compassionate heart.
“True beauty comes from within, when a person can be gentle, understanding, kind, courteous, and honest,” says the mocha latte stunner from Montego Bay, Jamaica. “True Beauty exists when all the glamour, makeup and suits are removed. When the hair is let down the person is the same.”
Johnson has given her time and energy to several charitable causes, including Jampact, Women of Excellence Strength and Tenacity (WEST) and Mustard Seed Communities. The benevolent beauty queen recently opened up to Fast Food for Thought and shared her candid thoughts on a variety of subjects ranging from business advice for young women to maternity and more.
As the winner of a beauty pageant, one might assume that you are very good at answering questions. But have you ever been asked a question where you felt like you were challenged to find a legitimate answer?
Along the way I’ve been asked many questions of things I am familiar and unfamiliar with. If I am familiar I usually share my perspective or what I have heard or learnt about it. If I am unfamiliar I usually pose the question back in order to then learn more about the topic or issue. Life is all about learning.
Do you remember the question?
No
You have been involved with many non-profit organizations. One of them is Mustard Seed Communities, which provides assistance to disabled children in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, and Jamaica. Tell me about your role in the organization, and explain what makes their work important to you?
I have had just the minor role of fundraising in November of last year. It was in collaboration with Morvia Reid-Williams of Kahnami creations. We both share a passion for charity and children. I was also passionate about talking about the organization with everyone who crossed my path and still continue to do so in order to hopefully garner much support for them.
Would you allow everyone on the planet to hear your private thoughts for a day if it guaranteed that you could raise one million dollars for your favorite cause?
Yes, I honestly would. My thoughts are usually comprised of self examination and trying to see how to make the world a better place through my talents. That is my job, seeing through the eyes of understanding and compassion and I feel inspired to show people how to do the same.
Did you have both parents in the household growing up?
Yes.
How did it affect your upbringing?
It made me well-rounded and balanced and I have a lot of great examples of love and charity. I also have a strong spiritual and family base.
What is the most understated piece of advice that young women are given?
Business, Money management and investment.
Please explain.
Well, I find culturally that that info is usually discussed around men. While males are being taught about being domestic and taking care of their families and raise children. How often will a daughter be included in a discussion with her father about his business? Usually the son is in the mix. We usually have to go seek the information for ourselves.
If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose and why?
Wow! ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition .On the show they find deserving people who just don’t have the resources, ability or time to fix those serious issues without their help.
To be eligible, a family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives. Seeing how life pays them back is amazing and being a part of making that dream come true for them would be an absolute honor.
You can select one person from history and ask them a question to which they must give an honest answer. Who would you select, and what question would you ask them?
I would choose Billie holiday. I would ask her how it felt to be an almost “passable” woman in that time of racial tension too black to be white, too white to be black. It is tension that still exists today.
Would you be willing to become extremely ugly in your physical appearance if it meant that you could live to be any age that you wanted?
I think it’s more valuable to have a short quality life being able to look approachable, than a long life where your physical appearance makes it difficult for you to be deemed approachable and hence make your efforts effective in touching someone else’s life.
If you could personally witness any event in world history, what would it be?
Jamaica’s Independence. Just to be apart of the celebration and see firsthand what that time was like culturally and socially.
You have just discovered that your wonderful three-year-old child is not yours. There was a mix up at the hospital after you gave birth. Would you want to exchange the child if you knew that you could get your biological child back?
Although I would have formed a strong bond with this child for three years the first seven years of life are the formative years and so I would want my biological child back knowing I have the opportunity to be able to spend time making the bond and return the other child back to their parents. If possible I would still hope that both families would be allowed to remain in the childrens’ life.
What do you love most about Jamaica?
I love the nature, the people, our resilience, the way things can be hard and we can find enjoyment in the smallest things. I love the way we find time for each other, the way that life doesn’t seem as stressful at the end of the day as it does here. I love our music, culture our food and festivities. I also love our dialect, our way of expressing ourselves in the phrases and dances we come up with ever so often. There is always more to discover there. It’s just a colorful and dynamic place to live and be and a wonderful place to have been born and grow up.
What do you dislike most about Jamaica?
There are challenges I wish we didn’t have in Jamaica, such as the crime, our aggressive nature to each other. I think that sometimes we seem to examine our problems in an insular way rather than look at other places for solutions. We don’t need to re-invent the wheel, because somewhere else people are having similar problems. They’ve invested in implementing things to make a change. We need to seek exposure so that our creativity won’t be stifled. If other people can see the gems in their cultures and invest in them, why aren’t we set up to do the same? Give us vision lest we perish.
What projects will you be involved in over the next few months?
Well, I am starting my own business which involves teaching clients about beauty and self esteem, empowering and training women as leaders and in business. It will be based on the principles of God First, family second, and career third. These are the steps to a balanced life. Outside of that I am a part of the Braata folk singers whose mission is to promote Jamaican folk music throughout the Tri-state area and beyond. I'm also a part of Women of Excellence, Strength, and Tenacity (WEST) which is a group of young professional women who are involved in youth development and other community service events.
What are your long-term career goals?
I hope to go back and do my masters in the design.
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