
Episode 26
Michelle & Tannette Johnson-Elie on Workplace Equity, Career Impact, and Supporting Women of Color
Michelle interviews Tannette Johnson-Elie about racial and gender bias in the workplace, how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go. They discuss the long-term health and career repercussions for women of color facing discrimination and unrealistic expectations. Michelle and Tannette also look at what organizations and individuals can do to better support women of color in the workplace.
Tannette Johnson-Elie is a seasoned media professional and journalism educator with 20 years of daily newspaper experience.
She is currently a Lecturer in Communication at Lake Forest College, a small private school in Lake Forest, Illinois, and serves as Vice President of Print/Digital Media for the Wisconsin Black Media Association. She is the co-host and executive producer of a soon-to-be-launched podcast that will highlight the stories of successful Black women entrepreneurs and business leaders. Most notably, Tannette spent 20 years as a reporter and business columnist for the Pulitzer-Prize winning Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where she covered key beats, including courts, education, crime, city and county governments, local news, and business and workplace diversity. She penned a business column for the Journal Sentinel for 12 years that won local and national recognition for highlighting the struggles and triumphs of small and minority-owned businesses in metro Milwaukee. Her column became one of the most-read articles on the Journal Sentinel’s interactive news site.

Guest Spotlight
Tannette Johnson-Elie
Experienced Journalist, Editor and Writer , Freelancer
Tannette Johnson-Elie is an accomplished journalist, editor, and writer with over three decades of experience in the media industry. As a former reporter and business columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tannette has a rich history of producing impactful journalism that highlights diverse perspectives and stories. She served as the managing editor of the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, where she spearheaded content management and digital storytelling initiatives. Beyond her editorial roles, Tannette has been an influential voice in journalism education, teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and leading Marquette University’s Urban Journalism Workshop. Her commitment to the profession extends to her role as president of the National Association of Black Journalists-Milwaukee, advocating for quality programming and support for Black journalists in the region.
In a world inundated with information, standing out requires not just telling stories, but telling them in a way that resonates deeply and inclusively. My career has been dedicated to amplifying voices that often go unheard and crafting narratives that challenge the status quo, ensuring that every story told is not only heard but felt.
Dive Deeper
Episode 39
Michelle & Carla Miller on Overcoming Barriers, Owning Your Power, and Mastering Influence in Leadership
View EpisodeEpisode 38
Michelle & Kimberly Tableman on Thriving in Male-Dominated Industries and Achieving Success Like an Athlete
View EpisodeEpisode 37