Senia Johnson is a trailblazer. As the first African-American president of the Alabama Association of REALTORS®, Johnson knows that her election marked a historic moment for AAR and that she is standing on the shoulders of other trailblazing REALTOR® members of color. In her installation speech, Johnson acknowledged them as well as the work of other great AAR leaders who, along with AAR staff, have made the organization great. 

Johnson’s path to a successful real estate career, as a broker with Keller-Williams Vestavia, and leadership roles with AAR was far from idyllic.  She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, so Alabama is not her native state.  Her mother was single and Johnson never knew her father.  She was reared by her great-grandmother and struggled both at home and in school. “Because of my skin color and family background, expectations for me were low,” Johnson recalled. Reading was difficult and there were few resources in her segregated school.  Johnson had undiagnosed dyslexia but she persevered by managing the disorder as she navigated a career in the medical field and, later, real estate.  “I’ve worked hard to this day to overcome that through prayer, hope and determination,” she explained. 

Johnson values the relationships she’s developed through her participation in AAR, the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, National Association of REALTORS® programs and service on state association committees and leadership positions. 

As AAR president, Johnson says she wants to provide hope and determination to others and is committed to using her platform “All Hands; All In; All Relevant” to make a difference for AAR members. Johnson believes focusing on those three elements will make the association even stronger by:

• Engaging all members so they know they are welcome and valued.
• Being committed to advocating for the real estate industry and profession.
• Working to meet the professional needs of members with relevant services.