Spotlighting Black Business Owners and Leaders: Tahir Johnson
Did you know that August is National Black Business Month? Black Business Month is a chance to recognize and support Black-owned businesses. Vireo is proud to work with many Black-owned businesses across the country. We recently profiled one of our vendors, Otha Smith III, and his company, Tetragram. You can read that profile here.
Black business owners represent approximately 10 percent of businesses in the U.S. and about 30 percent of all minority-owned businesses. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, that amounts to nearly two million companies owned by African-Americans.
In honor of Black Business Month, Vireo’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council is highlighting Black business owners and entrepreneurs, and also Black business leaders in the cannabis industry.
Our first interview is with Tahir Johnson, who was appointed to be the Director of Social Equity and Inclusion for the U.S. Cannabis Council. Tahir is also the Founder and Host of Cannabis Diversity Report podcast, which you can learn about and connect with here or listen to via most podcasting platforms.
The DEI Council was excited to catch up with Tahir and ask him about his journey to becoming a leading voice and proponent of diversity in the cannabis industry.
Questions:
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Where do you live now? Do you have family you want to mention?
I was born and raised in Trenton, NJ and have lived in the Washington, DC area since attending Howard University. I now live in Prince George’s County, Maryland. I have two amazing daughters that will be in Pre-K and 2nd grade next year.
Tell us about USCC and the organization’s mission?
The United States Cannabis Council (USCC) is the broadest and most diverse collection of organizations, businesses, and individuals ever assembled to legalize cannabis in the United States. As a first of its kind strategic alliance, the USCC combines the collective resources of many of the largest cannabis companies, prominent advocacy organizations and hundreds of thousands of individuals to speak in one voice for ending federal prohibition and creating an equitable and values-driven cannabis industry with social, financial, and environmental benefits shared by all.
Tell us about your role at USCC?
As the Director of Social Equity and Inclusion, my role is to help USCC achieve its goals to build an equitable and inclusive industry through its programs and policy positions and promote restorative justice for communities harmed by cannabis prohibition.
What made you originally interested in the cannabis industry?
In 2018, my dad was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I suggested that he get a medical cannabis recommendation to explore alternative treatment to the medication he was receiving and offered to get mine along with him in support. Prior to joining the cannabis industry, I was an investment advisor. I started in the industry working at a dispensary as a budtender before applying for cannabis business licenses in Maryland, and New Jersey, then found my niche in advocacy when I attended my first Lobby Day hosted by the Minority Cannabis Business Association. As I researched the industry and learned about the generational wealth opportunity and the lack of minority ownership, I decided to get into the industry to make a difference.
What are some of the challenges unique to the industry?
The greatest challenge unique to the cannabis industry is the fact that cannabis is federally illegal despite being legalized for medical or adult-use in 39 states and the District of Columbia. As a result, cannabis businesses don’t have access to banking and traditional sources of capital which has created barriers to entry for many, especially those from communities of color with less access to wealth.
What do you like about working with cannabis?
What I love most about working in cannabis is the opportunity to shape a new industry and play a part in repairing the damages from decades of prohibition. I also love the people I get to work with in cannabis. Everyone in this industry brings so much passion and innovation which helps to keep things exciting.
What are your favorite activities or hobbies outside work?
My favorite hobby outside of work is hosting my podcast, The Cannabis Diversity Report. In each episode, I feature minority leaders in the cannabis industry from my network who share their experience and advice on achieving success in the industry. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to take some trips and spend time with the family now that we can get back outside a bit.
Any other quotes or stories about working in cannabis or at USCC that you want to share?
Not cannabis-related, but my favorite quote is by The Notorious B.I.G., “Stay far from timid, only make moves when your heart’s in it, and live the phrase Sky’s The Limit!”
How can people connect with you and with USCC?
You can find me on LinkedIn or follow me @tahdiddy on Instagram or Twitter. The best place to connect with USCC is to visit our website, www.uscannabiscouncil.org, or follow @USCannabisCncl on Twitter.
Thank you, Tahir, for taking the time to share your story with us! Look out for more profiles of Black businesses and business leaders later this month!