GO-GETTER: Author/Artist Mgr, Kecia Johnson, Speaks Out About HIV/AIDS, “Dying to be Diva”, & Importance of Giving Back

HIV/AIDS is a growing epidemic that has impacted our community in so many ways and taken the lives of so many great people. The stigma that comes with HIV/AIDS has caused people in the community to be silent and not be forthcoming. Stacks Magazine had the opportunity to interview a courageous Music Entertainment Manager that is seeking to change the face of the virus and has written a book. Kecia Johnson shares her powerful testimony with Stacks Mag, details about her book Dying to be Diva, and why she wants to be an inspiration to others that are facing any challenge.

Dameon: Tell the Stacks Mag readers about you, who you are and what’s a day like in your shoes?

Kecia: Oh Goodness! It’s chaotic. I’m actually between two coasts being in Atlanta and Las Vegas, so I go back and forth literally every two to three weeks from the West Coast to the East Coast. A day in the life of me is wow! I’m a music manager for indie artists. So aside from catering to my brand and making sure I tell my story, I’m also over other peoples’ individual music careers. It can be very very very chaotic of course. I’m working on my new book that’s coming out, so everyday it’s making sure I spread the message from my story and making sure people learn from it.

Dameon: So, you just mentioned your new book. Tell us the title, what inspired it and what we can expect? We definitely want our readers to go out and support you!

Kecia: The book is titled Dying to be Diva. It took me about seven years to write it because I started around 2007. What inspired it was my diagnosis in 2006. I started to feel a way. I couldn’t explain it. But, I was feeling some type of way, but I know everything happens for a reason. Through the seven years, I was writing the book I realized that I was changing literally every year. Each year something was happening or something was falling out of my life or coming into my life. I knew it was happening for a reason. So, I felt like me being diagnosed with the virus, I felt like ugh. I found out near death. I was actually in a comma. I was on life support so that’s why I say “dying to be diva.”  Up until the point of me being diagnosed, I was in a relationship. It was public and I was kind of living this image or façade that other people wanted me to live by. I found myself quickly – internally and figuratively – “Dying to be Diva.”

Dameon: It’s admirable that you are speaking out on your diagnosis. I assume it was a total shock but what were some of those feelings or emotions you had when you initially found out. And, how did you begin to overcome it?

Kecia: It was definitely a shock. A lot of people expected me to be emotional, but I wasn’t. It was more like a “what did you say?” It was more so like I couldn’t believe someone just said that. I was in the hospital for a month and didn’t find out until the middle of my second week of being hospitalized. The remainder of the week I was still in shock like, “did the doctor really say that?”  I was still in a semi-comma. So, I was still wondering if I heard her correctly – but in all – I did really hear her. So, for me, it was more astonishing more than emotional.

Dameon: How has your family been supportive, especially, with all the great things you have going on in your life?

Keica: My family has been great. I didn’t tell them until 2 years after I was diagnosed. A lot of people asked me why I waited so long to say anything. But, I had to explain that when you are told something like that, you have to be careful of those around you because they may take it harder than you take it. I waited for the proper time and the feeling in my gut to tell my family. Since then, they have been supportive and roll with the punches. Now it’s like the more I talk about it the more they talk about it and they handle it how I handle it.

Dameon: Why do you think there is such harsh stigma on HIV/AIDS and what actions have you taken to dispel any myths about the virus and those living with it?

Kecia: Well, there is definitely a stigma because people aren’t comfortable with saying the word HIV/AIDS. The horrible thing about it is, you have to be comfortable with saying HIV/AIDS like you say any other diseases. You have to be able to say it and once you are comfortable then people will research it and be more educated. The stigma will then die down a little because people will then know it’s not that serious as people are claiming it to be. When I say serous, it’s not what everybody thinks. For example, if someone coughs or touches you then you can contract it. So, when people are comfortable at saying it, then there will definitely be a change. I have contributed in changing the face of HIV/AIDS because I am so comfortable in my skin and even crack jokes about it with my partner. In addition, I always make sure I dress and look good at all times because if I’m trying to show someone not to be afraid of a stigma then I have to look to part.

Dameon: Are there days that you feel overwhelmed with managing your own life in addition to your business?

Kecia: Not really because I feel like this is what I signed up for and these are my choices. I choose to tell my story. I choose to manage artists. I choose to travel. There are days that I need rest, but I don’t ever have days that I feel like it’s too much.

Dameon: Was there ever a time that you wondered out of all people why you?

Kecia: Yes, I went through a stage of anger after being diagnosed. I was very angry because I gave so much in that particular relationship and I didn’t get even half of that back.

Dameon: In your book, what are some of those things that you want people to gain from it no matter race, age, gender, color, sexual preference etc.

Kecia: On a daily basis we take a lot of the small things and blow them out of proportion and what we don’t know is what the person next to us is going through. If most of us would share our stories and show what and how we have overcome, we will all see some of the things we go through is minute or irrelevant compared to some serious life challenging things other people are going through. In my book, I want people to take a step back and be like, “wow, she went through all of this,” and is still going strong in an industry that people don’t even talk about HIV/AIDS and dealing with this for over 8 years. I want people to also see that what you are complaining about or the small things you may let hold you back is highly irrelevant to the power you have in you.

Dameon: I know that you are very open and you share a lot about your diagnoses. So, how have your peers and colleagues in the industry embraced you and your story?

Kecia: A lot of people are like in awe and others are like “I didn’t know.”  It’s not like I wear the sticker on my forehead. If you ask, then I will tell you. But, I do let my artists know because as an indie artist there is a lot of traveling involved and it’s important for them to know what’s going on. One of my artists actually told me that he knew without me actually telling him. He stated that he just knew. He said he could tell by my mannerisms, the time I would take my medicine, and when other people would just latch on to me even after I told them. People would be in awe like “OMG” it’s like she is talking about cancer and how blown away of how open I am with it. So, I have actually been embraced and haven’t experienced the negative conversations that others have faced. Again, I think it’s because I walk confidently and even joke about it.

Dameon: Are there any personal plans for a family in the future?

Kecia: There are plans for a family in the future. I have been with my partner for about 5 years and he is HIV negative. We always talk about children, but my life is a little chaotic and I have to settle down a little. I am healthy enough to have a child and there are ways to carry a child without the virus been transferred. So, yes there are plans for children down the line.

Dameon: Awesome, I’m excited for you. I truly am because I do know people with the virus and there is a stigma that comes with being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Society can be so ignorant and harsh especially when they are uneducated. It’s in the church, the street, but it’s good to know influential people like you are working to change the face of the virus. So, to switch it up a little, what are your plans moving forward with your artist management career?

Kecia: I’m going to continue to manage artists for several reasons. One being, I have worked for major labels and saw what artists went through because they didn’t understand the business side or poor management and their careers weren’t able to go anywhere. I feel like there is a need for mangers like myself because it’s not about the percentage I get. But, I’m focused on artists being smart about what they do. I do plan to forever be in management, but I have cut down my roster because I felt like my story needed to be told.

Dameon: This has been an awesome interview, what advice can you lend to the readers for anybody wanting to accomplish anything. There are several people that are facing challenges either fear, illness, or anything – even if they are not trying to be in the industry and going through the same thing and quiet or private about it.

Kecia: A closed mouth does not solve any situation. Because you are not telling your story and sharing your adversity, then you may miss your blessing. You may never reach your full potential because you may be able to help someone else. At the end of the day, whatever it is you want to do if you are sitting on a powerful tool that could help others, I guarantee you will not flourish because you have been called to do something and you are not acting on it. My advice is to sit back and see how you can help someone else. It may not be an illness. It may be a testimony from another family that you experienced it from. I tell my artists the only way I will represent them is if they have a platform aside from their music because they must give back.

Dameon: How can people find your book, get in touch or stay in contact with you?

Kecia: You can go to my website at www.iamkeciaj.com. Please support by donating because we have a group of women that travel to promote healthy lifestyles by living right and eating right. If you want the book, you can go to my site and get more information.

Dameon: Well Kecia aka “Dying to be Diva” it was more than a pleasure to speak with you today and we wish you much success!