Latonya Johnson, single mother of four, is a rising name in the Baton Rouge real estate scene. Known for her ability to connect with clients, Latonya sees it as her duty to help everyone find their dream home, no matter their background or financial situation. While many think her only motivation to help people is simply to do her job, those who know her story of overcoming the impossible understand that she acts from a place of true empathy, her passion fueled by personal experiences.

 

At her lowest moments, Latonya Johnson never would have dreamed that she would one day be a rising star in the real estate industry because, only a decade ago, Johnson was facing one of the hardest trials that any human can experience: homelessness.

 

Her story begins in the neighborhoods of North Baton Rouge, and though times were hard, her great-grandparents made sure that she and her twin sister never wanted for food or clothing. “[They] always made sure me and my sisters had everything we wanted and needed,” she notes. Unfortunately, after having her first son at the age of 19, Johnson was faced with the reality of adulthood all too soon and had to enter the workforce to support her two-person family. Without a college degree, she moved around the south, looking for jobs and living quarters that she could support on a meager salary. Over the next several years, Johnson had three more children, and with five mouths to feed and no stable income, she faced eviction after eviction, until finally, in 2014 Latonya Johnson and her four children were on the streets of Atlanta without a home.

 

At rock bottom and nowhere to turn to, Johnson and her family were taken in by The Drake House and this is where she found her life again. “The transitional housing shelter was a great experience for me because they taught me a lot about my finances, budgeting, saving money,” and she says, “they gave us amazing resources. Moving into the homeless shelter was hard, but I did what was best for the kids.” Johnson states that there were many times, especially when life seemed that it would never get better, that she wanted to give up, but she knew she had to keep fighting for her children’s sake. “What kept me sane and motivated was my children. I always knew I wanted to do better, and that there weren't always going to be hard times. I knew I had to just keep going,” she says emphatically.

 

In 2014, Johnson graduated from the shelter with a job, housing, and a new attitude on life. “Graduation day felt amazing, and it was a relief to finally get my own place. I was proud of myself, and it felt like an achievement. I will forever thank The Drake House for those times and their help,” she relates. The Johnson family eventually moved back to Baton Rouge, where Johnson kept her momentum going and was able to graduate from the University of Phoenix with an associate in business and, in 2019, got her real estate license. After a few years of learning the business and finding what worked for her, Johnson began thriving in the industry and it wasn’t long before she became a top producing agent like she always dreamed. “In 2023, I sold 42 homes, and I was finally able to see a profit of 1 million dollars! Now I’m closing 3 to 5 deals a month and helping homeowners like I always imagined,” she says, proving that no matter where you come from or where life takes you, you can do anything with the proper motivation.

 

Throughout her struggles, Johnson has relied on the steadfast patience and love of her four children to get where she is today. Her oldest, Rico, is 24 and just had her first grandchild. Johnson’s second oldest, Brylah, is 21, and has helped Johnson keep the family together through all their struggles. Tristen, the second to youngest, is 17 and in high school. “He’s my twin! Everyone loves him,” she laughs. Lastly, Abella, who is 9 years old, is the baby of the family. Johnson states that she is a dancer just like her older brother and Johnson spends most of her free time watching her youngest in dance competitions.

 

In 2023, Johnson truly beat the odds and bought her first house, a place that has become the peace and stability that their family always needed. “My life is my story, and I would never take anything I went through away. I’m still striving to be successful and grow my business. The goals I have set are far from where I am today, but I must say I’ve come a long way from where I started,” she smiles. Through her incredible journey, Johnson has held onto her experiences to help her when connecting with buyers. Just like her grandparents and the Drake House, she wants to be there for her clients, making sure they have everything they need to successfully buy their dream homes. Looking to the future, Johnson hopes that her story will inspire others, especially single mothers like herself, that nothing is impossible. “I have no regrets in my life, and I hope I can be an inspiration to someone one day. No matter what you’re going through, just keep going and never give up!”