Eve

My name is Eve Johnson, and I was born on a naval base in Charleston, South Carolina. My family now lives in Jamaica, Queens, where we moved so that I could attend Forest Hills. I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum. Unlike most of the children I went to school with, I was raised Jewish, and my religions beliefs continually shocked my peers.  Most of the time they thought I was joking - as a black Jew in the South, I was a foreigner.  I was always aware that my beliefs were different from those who surrounded me.  To them, I hailed from a different world.  The childhood games I played with my father helped me accept this fact, as my imagination was nurtured and I could escape from the reality that I didn’t quite fit into.  This helped shape my life goals by showing me the power of creativity.  

If you had asked me a few months ago what my personal and professional goals were, I would have simply stated, “Journalism.” My horizons have since expanded - I won’t be satisfied with just journalism anymore. I am a creative writer at heart, so one of my goals is to become a successful author as well as a journalist. I want to weave words so well that my readers devour the pages with their eyes. In addition to this, NYNY has helped me develop an interest in writing screenplays.  New York Needs You has already given me the tools to start building my career. 

Every time NYNY sessions end, I am bursting with fresh ideas, happiness, and a personal drive to be and do what I dream. Being a Fellow means that I have a responsibility to my community, my family, and the rest of the NYNY network. This responsibility is to become successful, to finally achieve the happiness I have always wanted, and to never forget who bestowed upon me the necessary tools. Being a Fellow is about helping future Fellows achieve greatness as well.