For Kiari Johnson, perseverance is not just a word. It is a lived experience.
“Perseverance means overcoming… breaking down that brick wall and getting to the other side,” she says. “Overcoming whatever obstacle is in your way.”
A senior at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Johnson is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. She aspires to build a career in sports marketing, with the ultimate goal of working in the NFL, ideally for her favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys.
“Kiari truly embodies resilience and tenacity.,” said Rachelle Gold, Ph.D., professor of English. “Even when she faces physical challenges that few students have had to navigate and overcome, she perseveres with poise and purpose. Her strength, focus, and commitment to her educational goals, make her not only a phenomenal student, but also an inspiration to our entire NCCU community.”
Her journey, however, has been anything but easy.
A Path Shaped by Service
At age 18, Johnson enlisted in the United States Army, inspired by a desire to travel and build a future through education. She served as a religious affairs specialist, working closely with chaplains to support soldiers logistically and emotionally.
“I helped set up prayer services, organize events and just be there for people,” she said. “We were a safe space. Sometimes people just needed someone to listen and remind them they weren’t alone.”
The role left a deep impression.
“It taught me a lot about who I was becoming,” Johnson said. “It really started my faith journey and helped me grow.”
An Unexpected Setback
In 2019, during a training run, Johnson suffered a life-altering injury.
“I broke my hip at 18,” she said. “I had to relearn how to walk. I was bedridden for weeks. I couldn’t even tie my own shoe.”
The emotional toll was just as significant.
“I thought the world was ending,” she said. “I didn’t think I would ever walk again or get back to doing the things I used to do.”
Through it all, one constant remained: her mother.
“She’s the reason I kept going,” Johnson said. “She was there for everything, the hospital, recovery, everything. She kept me going mentally and physically.”
Choosing to Keep Going
After being medically discharged from the military, Johnson faced a decision: stop or start again.
With the encouragement of her family, she chose to move forward.
“They reminded me why I started,” she said. “The goal was always to go to school.”
She began at Wake Technical Community College before transferring to NCCU in 2023.
“Central was always the goal,” Johnson said. “I just had to find my way back.”
Finding Her Place at NCCU
Adjusting to campus life came with its own challenges. As a transfer student navigating recovery and commuting from Raleigh, North Carolina, balance was not easy.
That changed when her family stepped in once again.
“My mom said, ‘We’re all going to move closer so you can focus,’” Johnson recalled. “That gave me a village. I could be more present, go to events and really experience college.”
With that support, she made a commitment to herself.
“School always came first,” she said. “I had to stay focused on the goal.”
And that focus paid off academically and personally.
“I had to let go of everything else,” Johnson explained. “The injury, being older than other students, all of it. I just had to be present.”
A Passion for Sports and Community
Johnson’s love for sports began early, but her interest in sports marketing grew from something deeper.
“It’s the sense of community,” she said. “When you’re at a game, it feels like everybody is family. We’re all one.”
That same energy fuels her ambitions.
“I want to be a part of something like that,” Johnson said.
Currently, she works with the Durham Bulls promotions team, helping create engaging fan experiences, from organizing on-field activities to hosting themed events.
“It’s fun. We do everything from t-shirt tosses to dressing up in costumes,” she said.
Her long-term goal is clear: “I want to work for the NFL within the next five years. And one day, I want to work for Dallas.”
Redefining Service and Impact
While her military service shaped her early perspective, Johnson definition of service has evolved.
“Service is being a part of something bigger than yourself,” she said.
One of her most meaningful experiences came in a classroom.
While volunteering at W.G. Pearson Elementary School, she worked with second grade students, an experience that left a lasting impression.
“They looked up to me,” Johnson said. “They loved my hair, how I talked… they really listened. That meant everything.”
That moment clarified her purpose.
“I felt like I made more impact there,” she said. “That’s what service means to me now.”
Looking Ahead
When asked what she would tell her younger self during her most difficult moments, Johnson doesn’t hesitate.
“Keep going.”
It’s the same advice she offers to others facing challenges.
“Keep your faith and keep pushing,” she said. “One day, you’re going to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
As she prepares to graduate, Johnson is also focused on her legacy.
“I want to make a difference,” she said. “I want to make an impact, no matter how big or small.”