Clinton G Johnson

National Geographic Explorer • Wayfinder Award Winner • Founder

I help people and communities go from unseen to Undeniable.
Bridging justice, empathy, and data to elevate Black lives, histories, and futures.

Exploring Our World through a Lens of Justice, Empathy, and Data

Clinton G Johnson is a National Geographic Explorer who advocates for racial justice, bringing over two decades of experience in geospatial innovation and community advocacy. Through groundbreaking projects like the Empathy Atlas and Black At Work, Clinton uses immersive data storytelling to elevate Black histories and the lived experiences of Black professionals. His work empowers audiences to see the world through a lens of empathy and equity, bridging historical narratives with cutting-edge geospatial technology.

Clinton G Johnson Leaning against a column and looking straight toward you

About Clinton G Johnson

Clinton G. Johnson is a National Geographic Explorer, Wayfinder Award recipient, TEDx speaker, and antiracist geoarchitect. He is the founder of NorthStar of GIS and creator of platforms like Empathy Atlas and BreakThrough At Work. Clinton transforms how we use technology and storytelling to expose injustice, elevate Black lives, and build equity into our systems.

Current Projects

  • Clinton G Johnson reading about our history at the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center [Photo Credit: Kris Graves]

    Empathy Atlas

    An immersive exploration of Black migration histories, Empathy Atlas uses innovative data storytelling to bring forth personal narratives from the Underground Railroad era. Learn how this project fosters empathy through interactive storytelling.

    Coming Soon
  • Diverse office team with a Black At Work logo

    Black At Work

    A powerful platform built based on the experiences of working while Black in today’s workplace. Clinton’s interviews with Black professionals shine a light on systemic barriers and strategies for bypassing them, bridging data with lived experience.

    Learn More
Clinton Johnson repping NorthStar of GIS and NiNsee on a TEDx stage
Clinton G Johnson waving to the audience at the National Geographic Society 2023 Explorer Festival [Photo Credit: Joy Asico]

Interested in Speaking Engagements

Clinton speaks at schools, conferences, and events about the intersections of race, geography, data, and justice. Known for transformative talks rooted in real-world experience, he equips audiences with tools to see, feel, and build toward equity.

Topics List

  • Geography and Racial Justice: Exploring how geospatial data can address systemic inequalities.

  • Empathy and Storytelling in Technology: Using empathy-driven data to create more inclusive narratives.

  • Building Equity in Geo-Fields: Lessons from founding NorthStar of GIS and advocating for racial equity in geography.

  • Black Experiences in Professional Spaces: Insights from the Black At Work project.