Ashley Johnson joined MCR in March 2023 as a program manager on the Resource Navigation team. She joins a team that works directly with clients through funded partnerships such as the Kresge Foundation's KIP:D+ grant program, Detroit Regional Chamber's NeighborHUB grant program, and other cohort experiences MCR facilitates. Learn a bit more about her below.
WHAT'S YOUR BACKGROUND?
ASHLEY: I moved to Detroit eight years ago to study medicine, but I found myself getting into anthropology. I got my Masters in Anthropology at Wayne State. I specialized in bio-archaeology and dental anthropology. This means I studied the teeth of ancient humans. I worked on a population from 400 BC. There’s so much they can tell you; teeth keep a record of where you were born, what you ate, where you went, and a lot of other stuff.
However, during my Masters, I switched to Applied Anthropology and pivoted to the nonprofit world. I realized I wanted to do work that made a deeper impact on the communities I lived in rather than working with populations that were long gone.
I jumpstarted my nonprofit work through an AmeriCorps term with the American Red Cross, before going to work with Samaritas. There, I created and led the Afghan Placement and Assistance program (APA).
WHAT DREW YOU TO MCR'S MISSION?
ASHLEY: I felt that I wanted to move into a position that supported the nonprofit ecosystem as a whole, rather than one specific issue. After working with the APA program, I was drawn to the way networking between nonprofits provided more robust services for the community. I liked how MCR creates those kinds of cohorts and networking opportunities, and how it supports organizations coming together to meet each other’s needs. When organizations work together, the community benefits. I also liked how progressive the workplace is.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?
ASHLEY: In my free time I crochet, I’m a crochet artist. I do amigurumi, which is like little stuffed animals, but I also do tapestries, clothes, and home decor. I’m trying to move to a more sustainable version of that practice by utilizing thrifted, recycled or found materials. I want to recycle materials from used stuffed animals, and bring new life to old stuff animals by recycling their stuffing and eyes to create new amigurumi. I also read, and I collect Stephen King books.
If you want to connect with Ashley, you can reach out to her at ajohnson@mi-community.org.