"Getting To Know Dr. Kalisha!"
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE WOMAN AND THE WORLD CHANGER
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MEET DR. KALISHA BONDS JOHNSON...
Thank you for joining us as we celebrate women who are transforming the world with their impact. Let’s dive in and start with a question that goes beyond the surface—Dr. Kalisha, tell us, in your own words, who is Kalisha at her core?
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I remember going to a Christian bible store when I was young and searching for the meaning of my name. Do you remember those name cards that used to be displayed in stores? Of course, the traditional names were on cards in the store. I was discouraged. Then, the owner told me that he could send my name o to the company, and they would send me a card with the meaning of my name. I was excited. When the card came in, my family and I went to the store. The card said Kalisha means sweetheart. Now, whether someone made it up or that is legitimately the meaning of my name, I'll probably never know. But, I was delighted. To this day, I try to be as kind and sweet as I can to others. I'm also opinionated, direct when I'm working in my expertise, and funny (or at least that's what people tell me). I love people, and I'm grateful I get work with families day in and day out in my career.
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Where are you from?
Trezevant, Tennessee​
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Where do you currently live?
I currently reside in Lawrenceville, GA
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Any Siblings?
Yes, 5. (In order from oldest to youngest. I'm after Tara: Tara, Ali, Kashif, Ashante, and Nyisha)
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How did you grow up? Anything significant regarding your childhood?
I had a simple, innocent childhood. I grew up making mud pies, catching butteries, and riding bicycles in the neighborhood. We were poor, but I didn't realize it because I had most of the simple things I wanted-- clothes from Walmart, my hair done by a neighbor, shoes from the Hibbett or Foot Locker.
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I think the one thing that was significant is that I wasn't raised by either of my parents. I was raised by my grandmother and my aunt. My mother died in a car accident when I was 2 years old, and my father and mother were never married so he wasn't mentioned during most of my childhood.
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Let's Dive a Little Deeper...
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt glimpse into your childhood—it’s a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience shaped by love and care, even in unconventional circumstances. Shifting to your life now, could you tell us about your family today? Do you have children of your own?
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Yes, I am married to an amazing man named Eric. We recently celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. We have 1 son named Noah.
Let’s lighten things up a bit—what are some of your favorite hobbies, or perhaps a fun fact about yourself that might surprise us?"
So, I'm not sure this counts as a hobby or a fun fact, but I love Asian dramas. I'm obsessed! I enjoy the storylines because they are dierent from the storylines of American dramas. K-dramas, C-dramas, J-dramas, I watch so many. Yes, I have to read the subtitles. It's an investment, but I enjoy them.
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I'm also a proud member of the Sigma Omicron Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. The Sigma Omicron Zeta chapter in Gwinnett County.
Dr. Kalisha, your journey is incredibly inspiring. Beyond your profession, you’ve achieved remarkable recognition as an award-winning researcher, advocate, and speaker. Then, you took a bold leap into entrepreneurship, creating the business and brand D.E.C.I.D.E.
Can you share with us when and why you decided to embark on this new chapter?
"I created D.E.C.I.D.E Research Lab in 2019. Though, I'm not sure if I thought of it as a business or a brand. However, I did know that I wanted to create a lab that reflected what was important to me and my research focus.
Navigating health and healthcare is tricky. There is no codebook, cheat code, or guide to tell someone how to do it well especially when you're trying to DECIDE on how to navigate the health and health care decisions of someone else."
What is the focus of D.E.C.I.D.E?
DECIDE stands for Dementia Experiences: Culturally Inclusive Decision-Making for Eldercare. The community advisory board that supports my lab helped me come up with the name. The focus is to help empower adult daughters navigate the healthcare system for a parent who experiences forgetfulness. This forgetfulness can be mild or more concerning like with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
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Why is this research so significant right now?
It's significant because older adults are continuing to live longer. African American older adults are suggested to be two times more likely to have forgetfulness that advances to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias than non-Hispanic White older adults. There is no current cure. Thus, there will be more family members (who are primarily adult daughters) supporting African American older adults.
CELEBRATING YOUR WINS!
We believe in the power of women, especially Black and Brown women, unapologetically celebrating their accomplishments and owning their greatness. Are there any key business experiences, accolades, or achievements that you're particularly proud of and would like to share with us?
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I have been awarded a K23 from the National Institute on Aging, one of the National Institutes of Health. A K23 is a career award that allows me to receive training while I'm conducting a research project. The training will prepare me to be an independent researcher who will conduct research that will advance this eld of science. I'm still recruiting for this research project. If you are an adult daughter who has a parent experiencing some forgetfulness, this research project may be for you.
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​What about Career highlights and/or life accomplishments?
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Being an assistant professor on the tenure track; being a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with geriatric psychiatry expertise; living to be 25 which was older than my mother lived to be; being a mother because I didn't think I'd ever be one and wasn't sure I wanted to be a mother since I wasn't raised by either of my parents.
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BUILDING LIFE AND
FINDING PURPOSE...
Let’s talk about life and purpose—a topic so many people are drawn to as they search for deeper meaning. For you, how and when did you discover your purpose? Was it a single defining moment, or did it unfold over time?
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I was at church in middle school, and I felt compelled to share with the congregation what was on my heart. At that moment, I knew my words had power and that with my words I could positively motivate and encourage others. My purpose was further confirmed when I was working as a nurse's aid while pursuing my bachelor of science in nursing degree. I was helping with an older patient. We talked back and forth. She shared with me how comfortable she was with talking with me, and she thought I'd be an amazing nurse. Throughout my life, people have shared with me how much I encourage them or reassure them. As I said earlier, I love people. I truly enjoy seeing the best in people and helping them see it too.
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I'm pretty sure this road hasn't always been easy What is your "WHY" for doing what you do?
My "why" is my grandmother. I have had a front row seat to her healthcare encounters. The good, the bad, the ugly... I've seen it all. Luckily, I had this amazing nursing career so I know how to advocate for her when she shared with me that she didn't feel heard or seen. With this nursing knowledge I have, I was able to speak to the providers in a way that resonated with their medical expertise to ensure my grandmother received better care. Without me, I don't know how she'd have been treated. I want to couple my knowledge with the lived experiences of other adult daughters who assist in caring for their parents and create educational resources that support so many other families of older adults like my grandmother.
FINDING INSPIRATION...
You wear so many hats on this journey—wife, mom, business owner—and you’ve inspired countless people along the way. But today, we want to turn the focus to you. What inspires Kalisha? What keeps your fire burning and fuels your drive to do it all?
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My Christian faith, gospel music, my son, experiencing life changing events with my clients.
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What’s a quote, either your own or one that deeply resonates with you, that you live by or turn to when you need a push?
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"If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough!"
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What do you hope to accomplish through your research and business? And who do you believe will be most impacted by your message? Who are you striving to reach and transform?
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I want to make this world a better place. Cliche, I know. Older adults often give so much of their lives to working, supporting a family, etc... and then when they are no longer able to care for themselves, as a society we fail them. I want to help support those who are supporting an older adult. My love for older adults stems from my love for my grandmother. I'm hoping to impact the adult daughters who are tirelessly giving of themselves to support their parents. The healthcare system needs them to continue to do this work, but how do we support these adult daughters in a way that gives something back to them?
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Focusing on The Future...
Dr. Kalisha, What is your mission or ultimate goal?
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My mission is to live my purpose out loud. I want to encourage, reassure, and uplift others.
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Do you have any final words or a motivational quote you’d like to leave with the audience—something to inspire them as they move forward on their own journeys?
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You are amazing. You are truly one of a kind. I know there is greatness and purpose in you. Let's find out what it is together!
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~ Dr. Kalisha Bonds Johnson
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Thank you, Dr. Kalisha, for sharing your incredible journey, wisdom, and inspiration with us. Your passion, purpose, and vision are not only transformative but also a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we step fully into our calling. We’re honored to have had this time with you, and we know your words will resonate deeply with our readers.
Here’s to the continued success of your journey and the lives you’ll continue to impact along the way.
