Ayana Johnson

Ayana Lee Johnson proudly served as the SCDAA National Teen Ambassador from 2021 to 2023. With unwavering determination, she advocates for fellow sickle cell disease (SCD) warriors and raises awareness about living with this condition. As the SCDAA National Teen Ambassador, Ayana made public appearances, spearheaded education campaigns, and secured support from both public and private sectors for the SCDAA mission. Her role as a goodwill ambassador and positive role model extends to teens and others living with SCD. Ayana resides in Virginia.

Ayana's resilience shines through as she refuses to let SCD define her. An honors student, she is also a competitive dancer with numerous national titles and has been accepted into prestigious summer intensives with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Joffrey Ballet School. In addition to her dance accomplishments, she plays the violin and competes in pageants, holding the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Piedmont Region 2020-2021.

Her impressive achievements include being featured in Suffolk News Herald’s 20 Under 21. Ayana has received several accolades, such as the St. Peter Claver Service and Sickle Cell Activism Award, the Making the Difference – Sickle Cell Champion Warrior Award and Scholarship, and the 2019 Excellence Girls Club Pioneer Award. In the 2020-2021 period, she dedicated 200 volunteer hours, including her role as an American Red Cross Blood Drive escort and greeter.

“Sickle cell disease does not define me,” Ayana affirms. “I am a warrior living my best life.”