GREENSBORO, NC — A Triad-based artist is inspiring people through adversity.  

What to know

Monique Johnson was born with a rare form of dwarfism. Her family highlighting her abilities gave her the confidence to hone in on her talents

Johnson is a motivational speaker, who delivered a Tedx Talk in Raleigh

Johnson is an artist, who posts her creations on social media, garnering more than one million views

Johnson graduated with a degree in business from North Carolina A & T State University, as well as Elon Law School

Monique Johnson was born with a rare form of dwarfism. That hasn’t stopped her from making her dreams into a reality.

After graduating from high school, Johnson had her heart set on attending North Carolina A&T State University. Family and friends were concerned the older dorm and campus buildings wouldn’t have accommodations for her to access them. She went anyway, on a full academic scholarship, and hired an assistant to help her around campus. 

“I really wanted to have the full college experience. I knew that me being the social butterfly that I am, that staying on campus would be something that I would enjoy,” she said. “If I don’t do it, who’s going to do it? What if there’s other students that want to attend.”

After graduating, she decided to study law at Elon Law School in Greensboro. Johnson wanted to use her voice to help other people living with disabilities. 

Since then, Johnson has been sharing her story and inspiring people across the country as a motivational speaker. She highlights the importance of knowing your strengths and talents and finding your purpose. 

“When I speak to them, I tell them the benefit of knowing why you were created because you’ll end up learning about gifts and talents that you have, that will allow you to pivot,” she said. 

The pandemic stopped her from traveling, so she turned her efforts back to her art, which originally helped her pay for an assistant during her days at N.C. A&T. 

“I wanted to thrive with my artwork, especially now that the pandemic has given me the opportunity to,” Johnson said.

Now, Johnson creates art pieces for clients, and donates pieces to various causes, like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. Johnson also creates videos of her work on social media, garnering more than one million views on TikTok under the name “Your Favorite Little Artist.”

“I just happen to be good at artwork, that was my gift but everyone has downfalls, everyone has challenges,” she says. 

View Johnson's artwork here: 

When you see Johnson, or other people with disabilities, she says it’s important not to undermine their abilities. It’s important to be seen, respected and heard, just like any other person. 

“I’ve had situations where I’m asking an associate [in a store], and they don’t talk to me, they talk to my sister,” she explains. “I have to assert myself, and be comfortable with asserting myself to say, hello, I’m here, I’m speaking, I’m communicating with you."

Johnson said she understands not everyone may know someone with a disability, but they should be treated just like anyone else. Educating others on people with disabilities can bring some understanding to those that may not know. 

For more information on Johnson and her latest work, click here.