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Danita Johnson makes history as first Black president in Major League Soccer

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DC United

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Becoming the first black female in 26-years to obtain the role of president of business operations for Major League Soccer, could only be a dream. However, for Danita Johnson that became her reality. The former Los Angles Sparks president and chief operating officer is now making history. 

Prior to taking the position with the Sparks, Johnson a North Carolina native started working with the WNBA’s Washington Mystic and the Detroit Shock along with NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers and NBA G League Bakersfield Jam which accounts for almost 20 years of experience in her sports career. 

In an interview Johnson told Yahoo Sports what this opportunity meant for her and the impact it will have on the sports world.  She stated, “Personally, it shows the progress that’s happening across so many industries. We’ve always been pushing for acceptance in the world of sports. My position is another example of that. It’s pushing the game of soccer in America forward. That part is very exciting for me and it’s something I take a lot of pride in, knowing the work myself and my team do on a daily basis will be impactful and can show what diverse leadership can bring to organizations.”

Johnson, 37 is taking on the role of expanding the fan base, sponsorships and putting together non- MLS events which will be held at the Aud Field. Along with supervising Loudoun United’s business, which is housed out of Leesburg owned by the  D.C. organization. 

October 2020 was a month for change for MLS which also revealed that there had been a rise in diversity and inclusion after the demand from Black Players for Change, a group whose foundations included global and social justice in sports within the past year.

The player pool is made up of 22% black players, while there are two black coaches who are Robin Fraser from the Colorado Rapids and Thierry Henry from CF Montreal and one general manager Ali Curtis from Toronto FC.

Johnson is a graduate of Western Carolina University, she is also a board member of Share Winter Foundation and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,Inc, and a mentor for WISE Within.

Alongside Johnson is the historic goalkeeper Briana Scurry who has become one of the first black professional female soccer players. She too is paving the way for more inclusivity in the league. 

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