Photo by Molly Harrell

Dianne “Dinah” Johnson

My work: I'm a literature professor at the University of South Carolina.

My passion: Books for children.

Words I live by:“To find out! What a wonderful phrase--to find out.” -James Baldwin

I am most proud of: My daughter, Niani Feelings--remember her name--she'll be on Broadway one day.

The one item that has changed my life: Ink pen.

My theme song:You Gotta Be by Des’ree.

If I could do it all over again: Be a National Geographic photographer.

My favorite body part: My African hips.

My website:dinahjohnson.com

The best thing I ever won: A ride on a fire engine with Sparky the dog for winning a kindergarten art contest.

My best friend says I am: Often very silly.

My mother always said: Every girl should have a pair of red shoes.

My first job: Selling clothes at Brittons at Columbia Mall in 1978.

One thing I never want to do again: Go skiing.

The food I could eat every day: Chocolate ice cream.

Favorite web site:childrensdefense.org

I’m thinking about: Moving overseas.

Always... Try to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Never... Say never.