Tamara Johnson is the executive director and principal of the Malaika Early Learning Center, which focuses on supporting families with at-risk or economically disadvantaged children from birth through age 8. Malaika serves more than 120 children in Milwaukee daily. The center focuses on delivering critical learning experiences to develop social, emotional and academic skills.
Johnson has spent nearly 25 years working in childhood and youth development in Milwaukee, according to Chronda Higgins, director of client services at Athena Communications.
Prior to directing the Malaika Early Learning Center, Johnson was a director for Milwaukee Public Schools and COA Youth and Family Centers. She has also served on the boards of directors of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Black Child Development Institute-Milwaukee affiliate, Metropolitan Milwaukee Alliance of Black School Educators, and Parents Plus Inc. Johnson often speaks about early childhood learning to legislators, parent groups, philanthropic and business organizations.
In January 2025, Johnson opened a new Malaika site at the ThriveOn King building in Milwaukee, with help from a grant from the Fotsch Family Foundation in 2024.
