Women’s empowerment and serving young people have always been at the center of the heart of Founder and CEO Alicia Johnson. For many years, however, the idea of starting an organization felt intimidating. That changed in 2019 following the loss of her father, a pillar in her life whose strength, leadership, and love deeply shaped who she is today.

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In the midst of grief, Alicia reflected on the legacy of her father and the resilience of her tenacious mother. What once felt like fear of failure no longer held the same weight. Inspired by their example, she felt compelled to move forward with a vision that had long been placed on her heart — creating a space where women could come together in unity rather than competition.

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Determined to challenge the “mean-girl” culture and the stereotypes that often surround relationships among women, Alicia set out to host a conference that would bring like-hearted women together. Drawing inspiration from a conference she had once participated in, she reached out to trusted women in the Longview community — Kay Holmes, Cheteva Marshall, Shameika Allen, and Taylor Taylor — and invited them to help bring the vision to life.

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The initial conference was designed to bring together women from historically Black Greek-letter organizations, often known as the Divine Nine, with the purpose of showing young women and girls that women of color could collaborate, lead, and uplift one another with love, respect, and shared purpose. The response from the community was overwhelming. During its first year, the event welcomed more than 100 registered attendees, making it clear that the desire for unity and collaboration among women was both real and powerful.

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What began as a single conference quickly revealed itself to be something much larger.

The impact of the event inspired the founding women to transform the effort into a lasting organization dedicated to uniting women and empowering the next generation. Their vision echoed the powerful words of abolitionist and women’s rights advocate Sojourner Truth, who once said:

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“If the first woman God ever made could turn the world upside down, then surely all of these women together can turn it right side up again.”

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With this spirit of unity guiding the work, the organization began to grow. Over time, the mission expanded beyond Divine Nine sororities to welcome women from all walks of life, professions, and backgrounds, strengthening the organization’s reach and impact.

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Today, Longview Queens United continues to carry forward that original vision — building community, empowering women, and mentoring the next generation through programs, leadership development, and service. What began as a moment of courage born from loss has grown into a movement that has touched lives not only in Longview but across the United States through its programs and initiatives.

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At its core, the mission remains the same:

Queens don’t compete — they collaborate.