I’m Clinton G. Johnson, a storyteller helping professionals and communities go from unseen to undeniable through impact storytelling, maps, and technology.  My work has led me to become a 2-time founder, a National Geographic Explorer, a TEDx speaker, and a tech leader in public service. All told, I’ve spent more than 25 years serving others behind the scenes through many roles. 

Throughout my career, I’ve used stories to drive change.

Clinton G Johnson:
A Storyteller

I’ve led change and innovation at some of the world’s most influential organizations

  • At the City of Philadelphia – I served as the first Enterprise Geo-Database Administrator, first Chief Enterprise Architect, and an IT Director for the 6th largest city.

  • At Esri – I founded and led racial equity and social justice work that helped transform how the global GIS industry serves unseen communities.

  • At the NAACP – I served as the first Senior Vice President of Geo Equity Innovation

City of Philadelphia, focusing on City Hall

My work has led to prestigious awards

I earned the first World Geospatial Industry Council Individual DEI Trailblazer Award in 2022.

I was named a National Geographic Wayfinder and National Geographic Explorer in 2023.

Why me?

I’ve spent a lot of time in recent years trying to figure out how a kid from one of the poorest neighborhoods in Philly could convince so many people along my journey to help me create and step into new roles and navigate from a $23k salary to 6 figures. 

The answer: storytelling. More specifically, professional impact storytelling.

What is Professional impact storytelling?

Professional Impact Storytelling:

  • Stories make your activities, data, and abstract concepts more relatable, fostering empathy and deeper connections with you.

  • Narratives motivate individuals to get involved, join you, follow your lead, invite you in, or learn more about you by illustrating the real-world effects of your work.

  • Well-crafted career stories show your trajectory, learning, and resilience, positioning you as a trusted thought leader and advisor.

  • Our minds are wired for stories, which convey complex information in a graspable and efficient way compared to dry data points and lists of actions.

  • Storytelling connects you to issues, challenges, communities, and an organization’s purpose, fostering a greater sense of meaning and dedication in your work.

  • Your stories can move people from where they are now to where you want them to be, in terms of time and space as well as empathy and perspective. In other words, you can use stories to get others on your side.

Clinton Johnson Clinton Johnson

From $23k to 6 Figures: Why I Believe in Resume Storytelling

Stop Listing: Start Storytelling

Let’s get real. A resume should not just be a list of jobs and duties. In today’s market, recruiters see hundreds of resumes every week. Most of them blend together in a sea of boring bullets:

  • “Managed a team of analysts.”

  • “Responsible for project documentation.”

  • “Coordinated meetings with stakeholders.”

Yawn, right?

But when you tell your story, showing the challenge you faced, the actions you took, and your real results, you go from invisible to undeniable.

Why Storytelling Works on Resumes

  • Stories get remembered. Our brains are wired for them.

  • Stories prove value. Instead of saying you’re “responsible,” you show you’re impactful.

  • Stories build trust. Recruiters and hiring managers start to see you, not just your job titles.

Resume Upgrade Example

Let’s take a standard bullet:

  • “Led project teams and ensured timely completion of deliverables.”

Let’s flip it into a transformation story:

“Steered a struggling cross-functional team through a major deadline crunch, streamlining processes and reviving morale, delivering a key project two weeks early with a 30% boost in client satisfaction scores.”

Beyond pretty language, that’s proof of impact.

Read More

How do I get started?

  • Free Webinar: Learn About Your 7-Second Introduction™

    Learn about the value of beginning Your Professional Brand Story with Your 7-Second Introduction™.

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  • Workshop Your 7-Second Introduction™ in a Group Session

    Start crafting your professional brand story with expert guidance and peer feedback.

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  • Work One-on-One to Build Your Professional Brand Story

    Start building your personal brand story with Clinton G Johnson and get a done-with-you 10-12-Second TED Talk™.

    Get Started