Mrs. Shirley E. Oglesby Smith Johnson

Shirley E. Oglesby Smith Johnson, a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, has spent most of her life building children by encouraging them to “resist mediocrity.” Mrs. Johnson worked in the Kansas City Missouri School District for 27 years as a Mathematics teacher and an Academic Mentor.

She presents workshops across the country encouraging young people to "use at least some of your God-given potential. Anyone can be good at what they do. God planted exceptional seeds within us; we must reach down deep to bring out what is extraordinary.”

Mrs. Johnson is the first of 13 children born to the late Norwood and Norvella Oglesby Smith. She is the wife of Clinton M. Johnson, a Dentist in K.C.MO.  They have three wonderful children -- Kenneth a practicing Physician in L.A. California, a son Elijah, a Businessman/Teacher, Overland Park, KS., and a wonderful daughter, LaShonne, a practicing Attorney in New York.  Mrs. Johnson and her husband are the proud grandparents of Kanoa, Isaiah, and Kaimana.  She is so proud of her extraordinary daughter -in -laws, Cheryl and Stacey. 

Shirley earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.  She earned her Master’s Degree and a lifetime certification in Elementary Education and Mathematics from UMKC. Shirley is the author of Touch My Soul... I are Fine (a depiction of her life growing up in the Pine Bluff Village), The Dangers of Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks( an educational how-to journal), and co-author of Stop Teaching School... Start Teaching Children with her sisters, Hattie and Lillie. She is presently working on another book --one  dealing with relationships.

Shirley's family pledged to raise $1,000,000 to fund the Oglesby Smith Scholarship at  the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.  The Oglesby Smith Academy (2003) and a Staff Scholarship will receive a portion of the proceeds as well.  A desire of the cast is to pay tribute to Harriet Tubman by performing in Auburn, New York, as well as other  places that assisted her in her quest for physical freedom. 

The Harriet Tubman Day Celebration each year is also sponsored by Oglesby Communications.