My Journey
to Inner Strength

Talia Johnson-Huff grew up knowing she was different.

While others her age focused on fitting in, she found herself sitting at the feet of her grandfather; watching, listening, and learning. Wisdom was absorbed quietly, not rushed. Observation came before expression. Presence came before performance.

Her grandmothers shaped her in equal and opposite ways.

 

One embodied discipline and polish; strict, structured, feminine, controlled, and revered like a first lady.

The other was vibrant and expressive; colorful, musical, joyful, adventurous, and free. When that freedom was lost too soon, it created a tension that lingered: a lifelong journey of learning how to release joy without apology.

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For years, the struggle wasn’t a lack of belonging, it was the realization that belonging was never the assignment.

The words came out differently. The energy landed differently. The vision stretched further. What once felt like misalignment eventually revealed itself as purpose.

 

Not built to fit in, but built to stand out, and to bring others out with her.

This work is rooted in that truth.

It is about dismantling systems that exclude the peculiar, the creative, and the unconventional and rebuilding culture that allows people to be seen, expressed, and whole. Inclusivity here is not performative. It is lived. It is felt. It is practiced through self-expression, discipline, and joy.

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Alongside creativity came instruction: work hard, be diligent, give freely, and outdo others not in competition, but in service. Care for people who cannot always care for themselves. Lead with heart. Show resilience. Stand firm.

Mistakes were made. Many of them. But failure was never an ending, it was translation. Each setback clarified direction. Each loss carried instruction. Each misstep refined purpose. Success was never separate from failure; it was shaped by it.

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Construction came naturally—built into the bones.
Fashion came instinctively—woven into identity.
Helping came effortlessly—anchored in the heart.

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The hardest lesson was learning to be fully true to self while accepting that not everyone would be comfortable with that truth. That lesson is still ongoing. It keeps humility close and perfection at bay. Growth remains active. The work is not finished.

 

The goal has never been to arrive; but to illuminate.

 

To shine light on others ready to step outside the box.
To help people move toward lives that feel aligned and fulfilling.
To uplift, educate, elevate, and celebrate those who need support along the way.

Gratitude sits at the center of it all; gratitude for the gifts, the skills, the lessons, and the brilliance of others.

 

This work is fueled by a deep respect for people and a lifelong love for building spaces where they can thrive.

This is the story.
The rest lives in Black in Business; a guide to starting, sustaining, and keeping business in the black.