WELCOME TO MY OFFICE!

  ABOUT SILVER JOHNSON...

"I'm honored to be standing on the shoulders of giants and guided by my better angels."

Being of service in the areas of Education, Equine Assisted Services (E.A.S.), Conservation and the Arts and Sciences, Business and Retail with a focus on Strategic Planning, Program Development, Communication and Fundraising continues to be an honor. 

As a published author, equestrian coach and citizen scientist and researcher my creative self loves this communication connection. 

Mom and Dad were horse lovers growing up and organic gardeners before it was a thing. They were artists, writers and entrepreneurs. Dad a world traveler and poet, Mom, an artist, early Montessori school founder and educator fluent in 7 languages and all around 'what can't she do?' Mom. They founded Community Associations and were of service to neighbors and friends in many ways. My fun focused, always landing on his feet athletic brother rounded out our family of four. 

The four catalysts that bound us all together were horses, art, being of service and nature.

Nature was our sanctuary. 

It helped us defuse trauma, keep focused on our place of joy and provided an extended opportunity to just take a deep breath of gratitude in times of difficulty.

 We met Nature where she was and invited her into our homes and souls.

Surrounded by Moorish architecture, Spanish tiled staircases, walls and window ledges offered a happy blue and yellow framework for the 'more fountains than Rome' Kansas City landscape. Flowing generously over dramatic Bronze-statued water features, sprays of delight showered us with multiple opportunities to enjoy the nature of art in the city. 

Art as a medium was always present...in nature, on the way to and from work. We spent many afternoons turned loose to roam the halls of the William Rockhill Nelson-Atkins Museum, climb the statues of pioneers in Kansas City parks and drive around in awe of the roundabout fountains.  I always felt encouraged by my family to be an entrepreneur and nudged to reach for a balance between enjoying being creative and mastering a skill. 

If life is a circle, a roundabout is a great metaphor for mine!

The first one came early. 

 I was ten. My youthful entrepreneur was given a choice. Continue to play my beloved violin in a foreign city called Julliard, New York or earn money to buy a horse? Why couldn't I do both like my great great grandfather Joseph Tosso? Handing my tiny, polished cherry tree with strings over like a sacrificial lamb, the choice was made through a wall of tears. 

Moving on, I was challenged to earn $50 toward purchasing our first horse. So... I started a weekly newspaper, hit my quota and my parents matched it and we bought Little Squire. By the age of 12, spending lots of time between Kansas City and my mother's and my hometown of Cincinnati gave me an opportunity to reach further into my bag of creativity. I spent many summers writing and producing plays with my childhood friends. My Aunt Marty helped me make the $.10cent tickets and spread the word around our Hyde Park neighborhood. 

Being an entrepreneur had its benefits! 

I saved money to buy an antique canopy bed, which took 2 solid years. By the age of 16, I started producing equestrian fundraising events and that led to my life as an equestrian coach and Equine Assisted Professional. You get the picture! The rhythm of horses beckoned louder than anything. We found the art and rhythm of equestrianism a common thread of creative movement for our entire family.  

But...I needed a DAY JOB!!! 

At 17, I was the youngest person Joyce Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards had ever hired. 

Mentors like Mr. Hall along the way guided me with support and a healthy way to up my on-the-job leadership and business (or horse) learning curve. 

 Bev Chester, our beloved Pony Club DC, embodied strength, intuitive horse skills, and offered wisdom

 with a gentle hand. She had the best whole body laugh anyone could ever have. 

My neighbor and godfather, Cruise Palmer, Executive Editor of the Kansas City Star for 35 years, where would I be without your belief in my writing skills and support!  

Sen. Bob Dole, your support for Equine Assisted Services was immeasurably valuable to me and everyone who benefits. Your eloquent and articulate communication skills honed mine and gave me a professional edge in all my presentations. 

Sir John Anthony Davies, Chigwell Riding Trust... 'It's Ability That Counts!'   

Many Olympic Equestrian pioneers like Warren and Jimmy Wofford, Carol Durand, Lowell Boomer, and more, empowered me with horse skills only a horse could have taught them. 

I wouldn't be where I am today without Joe Mackey, Bev Chester, Patsy Hahn, Carol Durand and all my coaches, mentors and peers at Somerset Stables, Mission Valley Pony Club, Mission Valley Hunt Club and Mission Valley Polo Clubs. https://missionvalley.ponyclub.org/about/

Humbled by my ancestors, those cultural creative world changing artists, writers, entrepreneurs, past Presidents, Diplomats and more that paved the way before me, they whisper from the stars...

 'Courage as you go, pioneer!'   

Nature's art remains my go-to place to restore, balance, align, connect, energize and engage, no matter what I'm doing work wise. 

And Horses of course! 

I have a great office! 

Join me... 

www.givingtuesday.org