Ascension - Ashli Johnson, Hospitality Hued

Executive leadership teams and hotel ownership across the hospitality industry still don’t reflect the diversity of its workforce—or of the guests and communities it serves. Ashli Johnson, founder of Hospitality Hued, is on a mission to change that by creating pathways to leadership and ownership for Black and Brown hospitality professionals. In this episode, Ashli shares her journey from her influential role at Howard University’s Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality to founding Hospitality Hued, an organization dedicated to elevating underrepresented talent in hospitality.

Join us as Ashli discusses:

• How mentorship from industry leaders, including her late friend Ray Bennett (obituary), inspired her path
• The origins and impact of the Marriott-Sorenson Center at Howard University
• How Hospitality Hued empowers emerging leaders through networking, access, and education
• The intentional planning behind her latest industry-defining event, designed to increase diversity and foster connections
• Practical strategies for creating more inclusive leadership in hospitality—and why it matters

If you're ready to rethink the future of hospitality and open doors to a more inclusive industry, this episode is a must-listen.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Hospitality can save the world if we just let it.”
• “Ownership is the ultimate step toward economic freedom and real equity in the hospitality industry.”
• “Sometimes all it takes to create a pathway is taking a moment to recognize someone’s potential and making an introduction.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Hospitality Hued Website
• Howard University’s Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership
• Ashli Johnson on LinkedIn

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Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands