AOK: Acts of Kindness: A Memoir: Building Belonging, Leadership and Connection

I watched my students interact with one another, and noticed something I couldn't ignore-a gap I couldn't quite name at first. When I took the time to listen, my students shared a common desire: they wanted to make friends, feel accepted, and truly belong. Yet in that search, many were willing to fit in at any cost. Too often, that cost showed up in poor choices, inappropriate behaviors, and disciplinary consequences. In that moment, I realized something important-my students didn't just need rules or correction. They needed connection, guidance, and opportunities to learn what true belonging, leadership, and kindness look like. >ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Felita R. Johnson is an educator, faith-based leader, speaker, and two-time cancer survivor whose life reflects resilience, purpose, and unwavering faith. Coming from a legacy of educators, she is committed to empowering individuals and transforming communities through education, mentorship, and service. Through her writing, Dr. Johnson blends lived experience with spiritual insight and practical strategies that inspire reflection, growth, and action. Her work challenges readers to lead with purpose, take ownership of their environments, and build cultures rooted in intentional kindness. For Dr. Johnson, kindness is not accidental-it is built, practiced, and sustained. AOK is more than a message; it is a movement-and it begins with you.