Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 4-22-22

Feature
Tonja Johnson Is Educating Floridians On The Reality Of Vitiligo
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Tonja Johnson worked in public health for many years. She valued her beauti- ful brown skin and took pleasure in living her life as a Black woman.
Starting in 2011, John- son was startled to see a spot on her outer thigh. By the end of 2012, more spots ap- peared. In 2014, the spots continued to grow and began appearing on her arms. Today, she has less than 15% of her color due to vitiligo.
“I went from a dark- skinned Black woman to an almost white woman. It is
TONJA JOHNSON
... Founder of Beautifully Unblemished and vitiligo advocate, before
must explain what hap- pened. I have gone through all the grieving steps. It hits you like a death. My entire life I have been a Black woman,” Johnson ex- plained.
Johnson’s journey to creating Beautifully Unblem- ished Vitiligo Support Group Inc. (BUVSG) was inspired by her passion to help those affected by vitiligo. BUVSG was founded in 2018. John- son’s organization brings education and outreach to people with Vitiligo in Florida.
BUVSG is Florida’s only Vitiligo support group. The group brings awareness to the public and support serv- ices to patients and their families through education, healthcare, and resources.
In public awareness cam- paigns, the organization works to eradicate the social stigma surrounding Vitiligo and improve the quality of life for all those affected by Vitiligo.
With Vitiligo represent- ing 1% of the world’s popula- tion, BUVSG has members that are across races and eth- nicities.
On April 23, 2022, BUVSG will hold a women's seminar titled "Mind, Body, and Soul... A Better Me!"
Topics will include men- tal health, skin care, yoga, meditation, and intention setting. There will be goodie bags and a light lunch for those who attend in person.
In person you can still reg- ister for this event at https://www.beautifullyun- blemished.com/beautiful- lyunblemished-3-1?fbclid=I wAR01WEwu1TL9fZzFjg1oB pMuTwalQkLSI8LqD- Ddze3apPbHlNDCYlBF-Qh0
ZOOM REGISTRATION: Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/... /tZckdeGqpjgjEtRvYzSP2Rb Clha4...
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The location for the semi- nar is On-Point Co-Work So- lutions, 1805 Jim Redman Parkway, Plant City, FL., 33563.
To contact BUVSG: 844-374-3639 *12 (Central Florida) Email: info@beauti- fullyunblemished.com
Website: https://www.- Beautifullyunblemished.com Facebook:www.face- book.com/beautifullyun-
blemished/
Instagram: @beautiful-
lyumblemished Twitter: @beautifullyunbl.
and after diagnosis.
getting better, but I have days that I struggle because I still have some color on my legs that reminds me of what
I used to look like.”
“If I see someone that I
have not seen in a while, it
takes
me back
because
I
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022