[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 5, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E209-E210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING TAMPA BAY'S TRAILBLAZER DR. CYNTHIA JOHNSON, IN HONOR OF 
                          BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2024

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History 
Month to celebrate a true public servant, Dr. Cynthia Johnson. Her 
commitment to service in the community began at an early age while she 
accompanied her mother on weekly deliveries for Meals on Wheels and 
participated in other community service endeavors. Dr. Johnson 
developed a compassionate determination to make a positive impact on 
others' lives. Her family's unwavering support, appreciation for 
diversity, and the passion to serve others have shaped her servant 
leadership style.
  Dr. Johnson is a native of St. Petersburg, where she grew up as the 
youngest of eight children. Her early experiences in the local public 
school system instilled in her a deep appreciation for education. She 
is a first-generation college student and received her bachelor's 
degree in education from Florida Memorial University and a doctorate in 
educational leadership & organization from Nova Southeastern 
University. Dr. Johnson also received her certification from Cornell 
University in diversity, equity, and inclusion and she later received 
the distinguished certification as a Master Economic Development 
Practitioner.
  Dr. Johnson has more than 24 years of experience in economic 
development and over 27 years in leadership training and development. 
She has worked in Pinellas County government since 2000, where she 
currently serves as the Director of Pinellas County Economic 
Development. In her dual role as the Director of the Pinellas County 
Economic Development and a community change agent, she is committed to 
lighting the way for others
  Dr. Johnson has a wealth of knowledge in diversity, equity and 
inclusion. She is a fierce advocate for public policies and business 
practices that lift people, businesses and non-profits agencies. As a 
trusted advisor to businesses large and small, government agencies, 
policymakers, and community leaders throughout Florida, she has built 
her career around the diverse and inclusive space of economic 
development. As an economic development practitioner, trainer, mentor, 
and educator, she has supported hundreds of individuals with the 
creation, retention, and expansion of their businesses. She specializes 
in partner relations, federal and state grants management and 
compliance, business and strategic planning, entrepreneurial 
development, finance, and small business innovation
  She is also passionate about cultivating the next generation of 
leaders and dedicates her free time to mentorship and community 
involvement. Dr. Johnson is a member of the St.

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Petersburg Chapter of the Links and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 
She has served on numerous boards including the Grow Smarter Steering 
Committee at the St. Petersburg Area Chamber, Chair of the Enterprise 
Florida Urban Working Group, Chair of Small Business Vendor Relations 
for Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, and member of the Moffitt Cancer Center 
African American Advisory Board. She also actively supports the 
National Negro College Fund and advocates for participation in 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the United 
States. Dr. Johnson is married to ``the best husband ever,'' Kevin, and 
for over 21 years their four children and blended family have urged her 
on in service
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am honored to 
recognize the outstanding accomplishments, leadership and service of 
Dr. Cynthia Johnson and her dedicated commitment to diversity and 
uplifting her neighbors in the Tampa Bay community.

                          ____________________