Leadership
Leonid Johnson is a visionary changemaker and the unstoppable force behind CommUnity of the Deaf, Inc. (CUD), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underserved Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, particularly within the Caribbean and its diaspora.
Born and raised in a Jamaican household where education was a core value, Leonid witnessed the systemic barriers faced by Deaf individuals, from limited educational access to societal marginalization. These experiences ignited his lifelong mission to break cycles of inequality and create lasting change for Deaf communities.
Leonid founded CUD with a bold vision: to build a world where Deaf youth and adults of Caribbean descent are seen, heard, and empowered. Under his dynamic leadership, CUD delivers advocacy, leadership training, capacity-building workshops, and educational programs that uplift and equip individuals to become agents of change in their communities.
Leonid is a proud graduate of Lister Mair/Gilby High School for the Deaf in Kingston, Jamaica, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, New York. He believes education is a tool for liberation and a weapon against injustice. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics at Georgia Gwinnett College, Leonid aims to graduate in 2027. He is dedicated to driving equitable change for marginalized communities through government, nonprofit management, urban planning, and international development, using his knowledge and leadership to advocate for a more just and inclusive society.
Relentless in his pursuit of equity, Leonid Johnson is not just leading a movement—he is the movement. His work inspires generations to rise above limitations and redefine what’s possible for the Deaf community worldwide.