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Bahja Johnson

@bahjaleila

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🙋🏾‍♀️Bahja (BAH-juh)
📍STL➡️PHL➡️SFO➡️NYC
👩🏾‍💻Inclusion & Diversity
✨Passionate about creating spaces for others to be seen, heard, and valued 🙌🏾

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On this #InternationalWomensDay, I’m honored to be named one of 2023’s Most Inspirational Women Leaders by @wwd and @bcgpr!

I often marvel at how starting the Color Proud Council at @gapinc back in 2018 has led to so many career-defining moments. And not just because of the work itself — but because I did it scared. In fact, I’ve approached many of my most meaningful moments with just a *touch* of fear, as it’s often my internal reminder that I’m doing something worth fighting for. And if that makes me inspirational, then I’ll keep pushing myself (and others) to do it scared all day long, because inclusion work is rooted in ensuring people feel seen, heard, and valued in everything they do — and THAT is worth fighting for every single day.

Thank you to all the inspirational women in my life who have fought for me along the way. Happy International Women’s Day. 💜

P.S. — I used to dream about standing in Times Square, and now I’m on a billboard in Times Square? Unreal! taken in Times Square by @bahjaleila

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4 years ago

Voila, Magic. ✨👸🏾

For Women’s History Month, I had the honor of interviewing the indisputable G.O.A.T, and epitome of #blackgirlmagic, @simonebiles. As part of the second stop of the @gapinc Equality & Belonging Coast-to-Coast Tour, we partnered with @athleta to explore what it means to “Lift As You Climb” for ALL women — including those who have been historically underrepresented in women’s history and the women’s rights movement at large. It’s no surprise why Simone is an inspiration to so many. She spoke with clarity and conviction as we discussed the power of owning your seat at the table (and on the mat), and why empowering the next generation of women and girls isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s an imperative.

I’m proud to be part of an organization that continues to redefine what it means to create a sense of belonging for everyone, and so grateful for the incredible team behind bringing our entire Coast-to-Coast Tour to life (I see you @thecarrielea, @ohthatjlo, @ahaq, @kisha.modica and so many more). I’m also proud that, as the cherry on top, I got to conduct an additional with interview one of my all-time favorite colleagues: @joellemeaghan. We were first brought together by a shared mentor and friend, and have been lifting each other up along our journeys ever since.

So here’s to the phenomenal women that continue to rise through all the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that come their way. We see you, sis, in all your magic — today and everyday.
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P.S. — Swipe for a little 💍😉
📸: @stephonlatham
👗: @athleta & @bananarepublic taken in Athleta by @bahjaleila

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5 years ago

I’ve celebrated many milestones on my career journey, but only a few have felt as personal and divinely timed as this — I’m honored to be featured in the latest episode of @bamcabral’s podcast, Guilty Privilege!

We filmed this episode back in May, and yet so much has happened since then, especially within the DEI space. Leaders have come and gone, headlines have shattered the facade of corporate commitment, and keeping the energy of 2020 feels especially heavy given there are fewer shoulders tasked with carrying the load.

And yet, there are real people behind this work whose voices have weight — I know because I’m one of them. I say that with confidence not because I’ve always felt it, but because in listening to this episode I heard it. I heard a story that combined strategy, passion, and purpose. I heard a perspective rooted in listening and learning as a means for driving impact. And I heard a Black woman whose lifetime of experiences has provided her both the privilege and responsibility to lead in this moment.

Further, I say this timing is divine because Beyoncé made it so (I’m serious). With the release of the Renaissance film, the internet is ablaze with reactions to Queen Bey describing how it feels to fight to be heard — specifically as a Black woman. While these reactions range from devastation to validation, they all center around the simple act of feeling seen.

That’s the power of privilege. To have it is one thing, to do something with it is an act of courage entirely. That’s what this episode is about — leveraging all the tools at your disposal, and holding others accountable for doing the same. It’s my story, in my words, in honor of all those who deserve to feel seen, heard, and valued every single day. I will never deny my privilege, but I’ll be damned if I don’t use it to help make the world run right, because to know me is to recognize, “this b#*%h will not give up.”

Amber, you are a gift. Thank you for providing the platform to use my voice.

Check out the episode, share, and let me know what resonated the most with you. Link in bio! 🫶🏾🙌🏾 by @bahjaleila

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3 years ago

Summer 2026 — you owe me nothing, girl. ✨☀️

Juneteenth at The Layout 👸🏾✊🏾

Just a girl and her nutcracker

Juneteenth at The Layout 👸🏾✊🏾

No pictures please!

Saint Martin blues 👙💙

Never met a BK block party I didn’t like 😜

Knicks in 5 💙🏀🧡

Midnight celebration at MSG

Knicks in 5 💙🏀🧡

Knicks Championship Parade

Summer at the Brooklyn Bridge

Fenty Beauty Summer Event 💄

Summer at the Brooklyn Bridge

Dumbo House 4th of July 🎆🧨

Summer at the Brooklyn Bridge

Dumbo House 4th of July 🎆🧨

OG Auntie Gang✌🏾

New Age Auntie Gang (and the cutest sister-mama and niece this side of Texas) 💕🫶🏾

😏

💃🏾🍸🪩

👩🏽‍🐰‍👩🏾🥰

All smiles for the beautiful birthday girl 😍🎂✨

You already know. Concert of a lifetime.

Sunset on summer in Aruba ☀️🏖️🌅

Until next time.✌🏾👋🏾 by @bahjaleila

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21 days ago

Proof of life: First week of New York summer. ☀️🍸🚕 💙🏀

1 - 2. New apartment soft launch
3. Stressing out @pieceofcakemoving
4. Surprise Saturday bagel breakfast courtesy of @mikepg718 & @vick_michelle 🥯
5. 🌇
6. The one item that’s been with me in every apartment since Clay Street — thanks @burberryperri & @diannewayne!
7. Celebrating my insanely talented cousin @nialeone & her @blackatbarnard project
8. The reunion hostess with the mostest @miagcalabrese 🍕
9. Go Knicks!🧡💙 (oh, y’all are about to be SICK of me and this elevator hallway mirror)
10 - 12. Finals Game 1 energy on 💯!!!!
13 - 14. Finals Game 2; also, see 9
15. Never met a rooftop sunset I didn’t like
16. Saying cheers and goodbye to my first New York home 🥹🥂✌🏾 taken in New York, New York by @bahjaleila

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4 months ago

“Calling all sorors to the floor…” 💕💚

Celebrating 81 Years of the Gamma Epsilon Philadelphia City Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated — because GE means Greatness Everywhere. taken in University of Pennsylvania by @bahjaleila

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6 months ago

The most wonderful time of the year! 🎄🥳🥂🎂❤️🎅🏽✨ taken in New York, New York by @bahjaleila

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10 months ago

Okay, last one…catch y’all in Fall ✌🏾😎 taken in Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain by @bahjaleila

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a year ago

Black Girl Summer ‘25: Outside, overseas, unforgettable. ☀️✈️✨ by @bahjaleila

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a year ago

…because joy is an act of resistance, and has absolutely no expiration date. ♥️ by @bahjaleila

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2 years ago

One of the best things about having a December birthday is getting to start a new year while simultaneously wrapping up another. 2024 came with its fair share of challenges and change, but offered just as many reasons to celebrate. So, for my 35th birthday, I was encouraged to take a moment to truly celebrate it all — and with the help of my village, and a sparkly gold dress, that’s exactly what I did!

Here’s to 2025 & year 35 — may they both be grounded in abundance, joy, gratitude, sparkles, and ✨magic✨.

🎥: The incredible @joellemeaghan who selflessly captured and compiled all of the joy. You’re a real one, sis! taken in New York, New York by @bahjaleila

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2 years ago

🍫🤎 taken in New York City by @bahjaleila

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2 years ago