Amaya Johnson

Amaya Johnson is a mother, scholar, doula, and founder whose work bridges the humanities and sciences. As a non-traditional student and new parent, she returned to higher education in 2024 after a five-year hiatus and transformed her academic journey into a platform for leadership, research, and community building. Obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at University of Maryland, Johnson has distinguished herself as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, a member of Tau Sigma Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the founder of two initiatives that support student parents and families. Guided by her grandfather’s advice to “get my share of this world,” she has built a reputation for resilience, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to creating meaningful change. Throughout her academic and professional journey, Johnson has pursued an interdisciplinary path that spans philosophy, physics, and kinesiology. Her research explores themes of identity, consciousness, embodiment, and social justice. As a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, she conducted research examining how women in physics use language to navigate identity and academic culture. Beyond research, she has held leadership roles in organizations such as the UMD Society of Physics Students and the UMD Ronald E. McNair Scholar Student Advisory Board. She is a founding member (and the founding Secretary) of the UMD chapter of National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP). She is also the founder (and founding President) of Students for Parenting and Care, an undergraduate student organization she founded to advocate for student parents, caregivers, and other non-traditional students. Her long-term academic aspirations is to obtain a JD and PhD in Philosophy to explore how concepts of sovereignty, identity, and consciousness intersect with legal and social systems. In addition to her scholarly pursuits, Johnson is the founder and CEO of Pod and Pride, a family enrichment ecosystem designed to help families cultivate healthy habits through fitness, wellness, and skill-building. Inspired by her own experiences balancing motherhood, education, and personal wellness, she created the organization to address the lack of spaces where parents and children can grow together. Her background as a fitness instructor, combined with her passion for community development, informs her vision of creating inclusive, family-centered experiences that promote lifelong health and connection. Through Pod and Pride, her academics, and public engagement as “The Sun From Leo,” and her continued advocacy work, Johnson is building a career dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunities for future generations.