Who is Ashli Johnson in the hospitality industry?
ASHLI JOHNSON, founder and CEO of Hospitality Heud, champions diversity and inclusion in an industry that has historically lacked Black and minority representation at the executive level. Previously, she served as executive director of the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership at Howard University, a Historically Black College and University.
What inspired Ashli Johnson’s passion for hospitality?
Born into a military family, Ashli's childhood was marked by frequent travel, igniting her passion for hospitality. This interest was further fueled by her older brother, who studied hospitality in college. These experiences built the foundation for a career that would see her rise to become one of the most influential figures in the industry.
"My grandparents and great-grandparents were never wealthy, but they were able to build an incredible foundation from nothing. Their ingenuity, grit, and faith inform and inspire my work every day," she once remarked.
What education does Ashli Johnson have in hospitality?
After earning a bachelor's degree in hospitality, resort and spa management from the University of West Florida, Ashli pursued a master's degree in hospitality and tourism management with a focus on hotel investments from Florida International University.
"Most of what I was being pushed toward were entry-level operational roles [in the industry]. Nothing more," Ashli recalled. Despite these barriers, she remained undeterred and found community in the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, though it wasn't enough to overcome prevailing stigmas. "In some instances, I was told, 'Who do you think you are?'" she remembered.
Undaunted by these obstacles, Ashli continued breaking barriers. While serving as vice president of education at the AAHOA, she witnessed a concerning "heavy exodus" of professionals of color from the industry.
What is Hospitality Leaders Today (HLT.100)?
Determined to create change, Ashli launched Hospitality Leaders Today (HLT.100) in 2015, gathering 100 students of color from across the industry to teach "the business of service." The initiative has transformed students' perspectives. "They understand what's possible, and it very much has set them on a very different trajectory," Ashli explained.
In 2021, following the death of Marriott International president and CEO Arne Sorenson, Ashli was appointed executive director of the newly launched Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership at Howard University. Backed by a $20 million endowment from the Marriott Family Foundation, the Center builds a pipeline of Black executive-level talent and entrepreneurs. With support from industry leaders like PricewaterhouseCoopers' global hospitality practice lead Scott Berman, Ashli is creating a new standard of hospitality education. "I have to bring C-suite level leaders to the table because that's who can affect change," she has said.
The Center's innovative approach includes accepting first-year students regardless of their major. The program has also partnered with New York University to offer students free entry into NYU's Master of Hospitality program.
Ashli emphasizes the urgency of this work, particularly for Black professionals. "The reality is that [Black people] created this industry – in America, at least," she has said. "I feel like there is a sense of urgency, particularly for the work that I'm engaged in, to create some opportunities to win and win big."
What is Ashli Johnson’s legacy in hospitality education?
Throughout her career, Ashli has held several influential positions, including serving as the first African American assistant dean of the Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management at the University of Houston. Her work has profoundly impacted thousands of students and professionals nationwide.
