Subsequently realizing the challenges faced by people of color to participate in the process of obtaining a home loan, she shifted gears, moving into mortgage financing.
Carol became the first African American woman in the nation to lead a municipal Housing Finance Authority. She streamlined complex processes of tax-exempt bond programs and developed systems to directly support affordable housing finance. Thousands of families in low-income households realized their dreams of homeownership through these programs, which are still being utilized today, ensuring home ownership for our most vulnerable populations.
In 1993 Ms. Johnson opened her own mortgage brokerage firm, Johnson Mortgage Corporation. Within three short years, the organization was acclaimed one of five top lenders in the United States by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This distinguished award recognized Carol for providing first-time home ownership opportunities to single, African American female heads of household. Johnson Mortgage Corporation received multiple recognitions from the City of New Orleans for being a “Top Lender,” and lauded a “champion” for affordable housing by real estate professionals and non-profit organizations.
Johnson Mortgage Corporation was instrumental in providing higher-wage job opportunities for African Americans, which laid a foundation for many professionals of color in leading roles today in the mortgage finance industry.
Carol attended the University of New Orleans and has completed numerous training programs in top mortgage banking institutes; she is a certified mortgage broker.
Ms. Johnson is married, has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. She resides in New Orleans, LA.
