SPEAK with Confidence.

LEAD with Impact.

From Struggling to Find My Voice to Helping You Find Yours

Meet DR. HUME

LEADERSHIP COACH + BRAND STRATEGIST + SPEAKER

I grew up in Claremont, a small village in the hills of St. Ann, Jamaica. a place where life was simple, but my dreams were never small. From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a leader in the field of communication. But that dream felt nearly impossible.

You see, I was born with a tumor on my upper lip and a shortened lingual frenulum - a small band of tissue under the tongue that, when too tight, can significantly limit speech. For a child, it was both frustrating and painful. Imagine wanting to express yourself but struggling just to form basic words.

Yet, my mother refused to let that define my future. She had limited resources, but she pushed past fear and stigma and made sure I got the surgeries and speech therapy I needed. Her courage and determination changed the course of my life.

With my speech restored, I practiced. A lot. I recited poems at church. I joined my High School debate team. I represented my classmates on the school board. And by the time I graduated high school, I was giving the valedictory speech. That lit a fire in me. I knew communication was my calling. It led me to a career in broadcast journalism. I worked as a TV host, a radio news anchor, a political speechwriter, and eventually a tenured professor of communication, keynote stages and in coaching rooms.

But after earning a Ph.D. in political science, I hit a wall. I had the credentials, the experience, and a résumé full of wins but I couldn’t clearly articulate who I was or what I stood for. I was skilled, but not seen. Accomplished, but not feeling aligned to a clear purpose or direction. I began asking questions I couldn’t ignore: What’s next? What’s my purpose? How do I connect all the pieces of me?

That’s when I discovered the power of a personal brand, not the buzzword kind, but the real kind, what I call The Currency of YOU™. The kind that helps you figure out who you are, what you stand for, and how to communicate that effectively.

When I redefined myself from the inside out, everything clicked. I stopped second-guessing. I stopped playing small. I started owning my value and communicating it with clarity, confidence, and credibility. And now, I coach ambitious professionals, leaders, and change makers like you do the same.

Whether you're preparing for a high-stakes job interview, stepping into leadership, or feeling stuck at a career crossroads, my mission is to help you unlock your personal brand, communicate with clarity, confidence and credibility and become a recognized leader in your field.

I know what it feels like to be unsure, to struggle with self-doubt, or to feel like your voice doesn’t carry. But I also know what’s possible when you learn how to communicate your value - fully and authentically.

And I’d love to help you get there.

Professional Biography

Dr. Hume Johnson is a brand-centered leadership coach and professor of communication. She works with individuals, organizations and teams to unlock their personal brand in order to enhance performance, leadership effectiveness, and be recognized as trusted experts and niche leaders.

With over 20 years of experience as a practitioner academic, and a background in journalism and political speechwriting, Hume brings strong expertise in leadership development, personal branding, strategic communication, and team effectiveness.

She is the author of 3 books, including the popular personal branding guide, Brand YOU: Reinvent Yourself and Redefine Your Future, now featured in two MBA programs.

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DR. HUME JOHNSON is a brand-centered leadership coach, personal branding consultant, and professor of communication at Roger Williams University.

My Core Values

01

EXCELLENCE

I believe in the relentless pursuit of personal and professional excellence. I set high standards for myself and my clients, insist on quality and achieve tangible results. I foster a culture where I give and receive feedback as a catalyst for growth and success.

02

PERSONAL GROWTH

I believe in the transformative power of growth and continuous learning. I empower my clients to embrace challenges, expand their skills, push beyond their comfort zone and unlock their full potential to achieve personal and professional success.

03

CLARITY

I believe in the power of clarity to navigate your career journey. Instead of drifting aimlessly, I empower you to define your goals, envision a fulfilling future, and create a strategic roadmap for success. With intentional action and unwavering focus, you'll unlock your full potential and achieve meaningful results.

04

COLLABORATION

I believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork to achieve extraordinary results. Whether building your personal brand, refining your leadership skills, or pursuing shared goals. I foster a supportive environment where everyone's unique strengths are leveraged and valued. I champion collaboration not just as a method, but as a mindset to empowers us to win together.

Approved Photographs

Please contact us if you require any of the approved photos for promotional purposes.

All photos must be credited @HumeJohnson

City skyline

Photo By: John Doe

Birthday Sparks

Photo By: John Doe

Blurred Lines

Photo by: John Doe

My Academic Career

Associate Professor of Communication, RWU

I'm dedicated to teaching and promoting the value of personal branding, identity, and leadership development. I believe these skills are crucial for success in today's competitive job market, navigating a post-pandemic workplace, and engaging in a multicultural society. As a Faculty member at Roger Williams University, I design and teach courses that help students understand the role of brand identity and leadership in effective communication, self-actualization, and civic engagement. I encourage students to develop their own personal brand, recognize their unique value and use it to solve problems, build community, and create more inclusive workplaces. I believe that developing these skills helps students build confidence, achieve their goals, and become more engaged citizens.

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What Students Say

I teach the following courses: Personal Branding, Public Speaking, Communication in Organizations, Communicating in Crisis, Introduction to the Mass Media + Media Relations.

Professor Hume Johnson, you could make me nervous but in the best way possible. Your class was one of the most interesting in my life, and your teaching style made it easy to remember the information. Making us do group work was effective and prepares us for our jobs in the future. You were a good mix of being light and funny but also vocal when we could improve. I learned a lot.

Kate

Introduction to the Mass Media

Professor Hume Johnson has been my best professor at RWU. She made public speaking interesting to learn. She created a positive atmosphere; the class was a tight knit community. She pushed me out of my comfort zone and I rose to the challenge. Everyone should take at least one class with Dr. Johnson during their time at RWU.

Aidan

Introduction to Public Speaking

Your courses taught me how to prepare and execute effective speeches, create an appealing presentation, and to define my personal brand. Enrolling in your Introduction to Mass Media helped me outgrow my shyness! I enjoyed finishing my college career taking your Communicating in Crisis course and found the curriculum incredibly helpful and important.

Sarah

Communicating in Crisis + Introduction to Mass Media

Research and Scholarship

I'm an interdisciplinary political scholar. I hold a Ph.D. in Political Science & Public Policy from The University of Waikato (New Zealand). I've written extensively on the brand of nations (nation branding), governance, transnational crime as well as popular protest and the challenges of building genuine civil society in Jamaica.

I'm the author of two volumes entitled Challenges to Civil Society: Popular Protest and Governance in Jamaica (Cambria Press) and co-editor of Brand Jamaica: Reimagining a National Image and Identity (University of Nebraska Press). I've also been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Political Studies, Journal of Media and Cultural Studies and Journal of Place Branding and Public Diplomacy.

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DR. HUME'S INTELLECTUAL INSIGHTS

Selected Scholarly Publications

JAMAICA: A Famous, Strong but Damaged Brand

Journal of Place Branding + Public Diplomacy

In the modern global marketplace, a nation's image, brand, and reputation are critical assets. Countries compete for resources like tourism, investment, and talent. However, negative perceptions stemming from internal issues can overshadow a country's positive achievements. Jamaica, while celebrated for its music, sports, and tourism, faces challenges due to economic instability, crime, and human rights concerns. These issues create a complex and conflicting image, impacting investment, tourism, and overall progress. It's imperative for Jamaica to address these concerns and re-imagine its brand in the context of its evolving situation.

Performing Protest in Jamaica: The Mass Media as Stage

International Journal of Media + Cultural Politics

This study examines the close relationship between contemporary protests and the mass media, focusing on how media coverage, particularly television, shapes and is shaped by protest actions in Jamaica. It draws on empirical data and Kellner's work on media spectacle to analyze how protesters utilize spectacle to attract media attention and advance their cause. Additionally, it explores how media portrayal of protests and protesters can influence their actions and strategies.

Jamaican Dons, Italian Mafias and the Chances of a "Reversible Destiny"

Political Studies

For nearly half a century, Jamaican "dons" have held sway as community leaders in impoverished urban areas, garnering both local acceptance and a degree of unofficial political acknowledgment. Their systematic, coercive control and counter-hegemonic influence mirrors the "godfather"-led criminal structure and power of the Italian Mafia. However, recent years have seen the Mafia's power significantly diminished by increased state intervention and civil resistance, particularly from women within Italian communities. This article explores whether a similar decline in power is conceivable for Jamaica's "dons."

See and Blind, Hear and Deaf: 'Informerphobia in Jamaican Garrisons'

Journal of Crime Prevention and Community Safety

This article investigates the phenomenon of "informerphobia" in Jamaica, exploring the fear that prevents individuals from reporting violence and crime to authorities. Through interviews and research, it examines the causes and implications of this fear, highlighting the need for effective, trustworthy state agencies and a culture of citizen engagement. The concept of informerphobia itself, along with its application to the Jamaican context, offers a fresh perspective on addressing societal challenges.

WHAT FACULTY ARE SAYING

Nickesia Gordon, Ph.D. - Associate Professor of Communication,

Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT

Dr. Hume Johnson's recent Personal Branding and Pedagogy workshop at the Rochester Institute of Technology was a resounding success. Her tailored approach specifically addressed the needs of faculty in Higher Ed, providing them with actionable tools to enhance their personal brand and pedagogical skills. Participants raved about the workshop's usefulness, particularly highlighting Dr. Johnson's insightful presentation and the value of the customized workbook she provided. I wholeheartedly endorse Dr. Johnson as a top-tier expert and trainer in the field of Personal Branding and Leadership.