Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Johnson-Carruthers.
Hi Joy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I didn’t set out to become a keynote speaker and workplace trainer, but looking back, every step prepared me for it. My story starts with service—first in the U.S. Army, then in law enforcement, and later in corporate HR. Each role gave me a front-row seat to how people lead, follow, communicate, and sometimes struggle to connect across differences.
In HR, I earned the nickname “terminator” because I handled tough employee exits. But what I learned is that even in those hard moments, treating people with dignity makes all the difference. That lesson shaped my belief that the workplace can either break people down or build them up—and I chose to focus on building people up.
After years of HR leadership roles, I launched JTraining Solutions to bring what I call “real-talk strategies” to workplaces across the country. My focus is on generational dynamics, trust, inclusion, and culture—training that resonates whether you’re a CEO, a frontline worker on a barge, or a nonprofit leader. I also created MySista Circles, a space where Black women can heal, connect, and thrive outside of the workplace.
Today, I have the privilege of serving as President-Elect—and soon President—of Middle Tennessee SHRM, one of the largest HR organizations in the country. When I take office in January 2025, I will be the first person of color to lead this chapter in its history. It’s a milestone I’m proud of, and it reflects my larger commitment: helping people and organizations create spaces where everyone has the dignity and respect they deserve.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. As a Black woman, I’ve often been the only person of color—or the only Black female—in the room. That comes with its own set of challenges: facing discrimination, misogyny, and constantly learning how to navigate spaces that weren’t built for people like me. There were times I had to work twice as hard to prove my value, even when I already had the expertise and experience to be at the table.
Leaving the stability of corporate HR to launch my own business came with a different set of struggles—financial uncertainty, the pressure of being both the brand and the engine behind it, and learning to balance speaking truth to power while still getting invited back into the room. And because some of the topics I address, like diversity and inclusion, can be polarizing, I’ve had to learn how to deliver tough messages in a way that people can hear, without compromising the truth.
Still, every obstacle sharpened my resilience. Those experiences gave me the courage and perspective I bring into my work today. They remind me that my presence in those rooms isn’t just about me—it’s about opening doors for the people who will come after me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At JTraining Solutions, my focus is on helping organizations bridge gaps that often feel impossible to cross—whether it’s generational divides, workplace trust issues, or the polarizing conversations around diversity and inclusion. I specialize in taking topics that can feel heavy or divisive and breaking them down into real, relatable strategies that help people connect across differences. My clients often tell me that I have a way of making people drop their defenses, allowing them to hear each other and move forward together.
What I’m most proud of is that my work is mission-driven, not money-driven. Through JTraining, I get to support leaders and frontline teams alike, but I also give back through MySista Circles, which provides Black women with a safe place to be seen and heard. Beyond my business, I volunteer as an HR leader with Middle Tennessee SHRM—where I will soon make history as the first person of color to serve as President—and I also serve as President of the historic Hadley Park Tennis Club, where our 70-plus-year-old organization brings the North Nashville community together through the joy of recreational tennis.
What sets me apart is my ability to meet people where they are. With over two decades of experience in HR, the Army, and law enforcement, I’ve learned how to navigate tough environments without losing sight of people’s dignity. I don’t shy away from difficult conversations—I create space for them to happen in ways that build trust, connection, and lasting change.
How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t about titles, money, or recognition—it’s about impact. I define success by the lives I touch and the spaces I help transform. If a leader learns how to build trust with their team, if a frontline worker feels respected and heard, or if a Black woman in MySista Circles feels seen and supported—that’s success.
I also measure success by consistency. Am I showing up in alignment with my values, both inside and outside of work? Am I creating opportunities for others, especially those who don’t usually get invited to the table? If the answer is yes, then I know I’m on the right path.
At the end of the day, success for me is leaving things better than I found them—whether it’s a workplace, a community, or a single person’s experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jtrainingsolutions.net/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jtrainingsolutions2003?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jtrainingsolutionsFacebook
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-johnsoncarruthers/
- Youtube: JTraining Solutions – YouTube
- Other: https://www.jtrainingsolutions.net/mysistacircle
