Clinton G. Johnson is a National Geographic Explorer and tech veteran with over 20 years in GIS, solution architecture, and antiracism. He kickstarted his career in Philadelphia, setting up the city's inaugural enterprise GIS platforms and becoming its first Chief Enterprise Architect.
At Esri, Johnson founded the Racial Equity & Social Justice Initiative, later becoming Esri's first Racial Equity & Social Justice Lead. His unique framework combines racial equity and geospatial practices, aiding organizations in advancing justice, equity, and antiracism. In 2023, he also became the NAACP's Senior Vice President of GeoEquity Innovation, focusing on racial equity and social justice in strategic geospatial planning.
As a National Geographic Explorer, Johnson illuminates Black migration stories through data and immersive visualizations. His work aims to humanize stories of the Underground Railroad and the Great Migration, fostering empathy for communities facing social inequities.
Beyond Esri, Johnson is the Executive Director and Founder of NorthStar of GIS, a nonprofit committed to racial justice and increasing Black representation in geo fields.
His work has earned him the 2023 National Geographic Wayfinder Award and the inaugural Individual DEI Trailblazer Award from the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC).
Johnson's roles and contributions have a lasting impact on intersectional equity in geography, technology, and society. His unwavering commitment to justice and equity drives continual progress and change.
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