Black History Month: OJ Johnson

Legacy in Motion: Oreatha "OJ" Johnson

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and inspire the future.

Aligned with the 2025 national Black History Month theme, "African Americans and Labor," our "Legacy in Motion" campaign explores the profound ways that work – in all its forms – intersects with the collective experiences of the Black community. From skilled and unskilled labor to vocational and voluntary work, Black contributions have shaped organizations, communities, and history.

As part of this campaign, we're honoring the journeys of long-term Black Legacy employees who share stories of perseverance, growth, and impact. Through their journeys, we celebrate Black history in action, recognizing that their work is not just a job but a lasting contribution to our organization.

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OJ Johnson’s connection to Legacy and Legacy Emanuel Medical Center goes back decades as many in her family were born at the Northwest Portland hospital. After a 20-year career with another healthcare organization, OJ became part of the Legacy family in 2008.

The revenue referral intake specialist quickly found a new family at Legacy. She helped form the Black Employee Resource Group, joined other ERGs and welcomed new employees during orientation. OJ recently spoke about her career at Legacy, how she views Black History Month and enjoys representing Legacy.

Can you share your journey at Legacy Health and how your role has evolved over the years?

I started working with pediatric audiology. It was a new position they wanted to develop at Good Samaritan hospital. I helped to develop the program and eventually we moved over to Legacy Emanuel, and shared offices with Lactation services in which I learned more about newborn hearing screens and the lactation department.

I saw first-hand how to teach women to breast feed their child and support them when they felt disappointment. This position transferred over to our pediatric development department. It was there that I established new relationships. During this time, I went back to college to finish my degree in Business and obtained my BA at Warner Pacific in 2010.

My role eventually changed to audiology and neuropsychology scheduler, and I eventually landed as the revenue referral intake specialist for both departments as well as joining the charge work family. One of the things I enjoy most is the care that is provided for our patients and their families. We really have a good team of providers and coworkers.

How did you become involved with the BERG and what do you get from it?

I was asked by HR to help start the BERG group to increase Legacy’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs. To see this group grow has been amazing.

With BERG, we come together and we’re able to support each other. Being with the BERG group I enjoyed the community events we supported like job fairs, new employee orientations, Juneteenth, Good in the Hood, and our off-campus gatherings to name a few.

Through BERG I was able to become a facilitator for Respecting Differences. This is a powerful group and the people who trained and worked with me are phenomenal. I learned so much about my own challenges while training other employees through the process. Working with other ERGs was an eye opener for me. Even though we had separate groups, we supported each other and had common goals. I love the idea that you didn’t need to stay with just one group.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month means a time of reflection and remembrance that you don’t have to wait until February to celebrate. However, February is a special month to celebrate our history, what people in the past have done to pave the way for others. Also, to be able to reflect on the histories and families and to teach our families what is Black history. It’s so important to keep that memory in the forefront, what it was, is and where it’s going. Now more than ever we must preserve our history for our children.

How do you think the contributions of Black labor, historically and currently, have shaped industries like health care?

By being in different healthcare areas, we have a chance to share our culture differences and contribute to the healthcare industry in areas of administrative and management. We don’t always have to be hired in the kitchen and housecleaning, although those are great areas of service that we need.

When we are part of departments there is an increase in understanding and appreciation to what you bring to the table. I feel like I contribute my culture and my views, which might be different, but once you put them all together it serves a good purpose. We are different but that’s what makes us great.

How has your identity as a Black professional shaped your experiences in the workplace?

I think my identity as a Black professional hasn’t always been positive. Sometimes I’ve felt like I was the invisible employee. I felt like I had to push my way a little more in the same position where others didn’t have to. Such as getting information from a third party rather than being included in the original discussion that may impact my job. That’s a challenge as I may not be included for information that may affect my job.

However, I’ve learned to adjust, rise above, and to be respectful and open to say how I feel about a certain situation. This can be looked at as the angry Black woman, but I’m not angry. It’s just the way I communicate. It’s hard for people to communicate or know what to say, like when George Floyd was murdered, or other tragic events that have taken place. I’ve learned that I can break the ice when I feel as though someone is wondering how I’m feeling. Therefore, people can learn from my background and culture as well as me learning from them.

Growing up in the community around Emanuel, Dawson Park was my park when I was a kid. It’s nice to be able to come back when we have events to say I was born and work at Emanuel.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career in health care or considering joining Legacy?

I would strongly advise them to be confident in their skills and know what they bring to the table. This will be a beginning start to build your relationships. Find out early who will support you. Join an ERG to get an immediate support system.

Are there any projects or moments you’re especially proud of during your time here?

Yes. I’m extremely proud when we started the ERGs and to be a part of starting BERG. Because at that time, nothing like that was going on. BERG was the first to get started. I also feel good to represent Legacy in the community like during Juneteenth. I do enjoy being able to say hey, this is Legacy, where I was born and have the privilege to now work for. Marching in the parades, new employee orientations, walking the health walk, and even joining a stepping class have been highlights for me.

I also became a facilitator for Respecting Differences. I worked with a wonderful team that was very patient in training me. During this time, I was able to identify my own biases, which helped me in my personal and professional growth.

However, the Living in Health event in 2014 is one of my proudest moments. The BERG group worked with Legacy to bring health awareness targeting the black faith community, which triggered other hospitals and organizations to reach out to their perspective communities, which has grown over the years. I’ve also mentored and trained several high school students in administrative work through Legacy’s summer programs and many of those students are now in their own professions.

I’m proud that BERG and Legacy laid a good foundation. It is a good feeling to connect with new people and be supported by your peers. This is some of what Legacy has meant to me.