Sheila Johnson Talks 'Walk Through Fire' Memoir & Cementing Her Entrepreneurial Legacy

By Bianca Gracie | December 13, 2023



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Since opening in 2013, the flagship Salamander Middleburg resort in Virginia has achieved both the Forbes Five- Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings. PHOTO COURTESY OF SALAMANDER MIDDLEBURG
Since opening in 2013, the flagship Salamander Middleburg resort in Virginia has achieved both the Forbes Five- Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings. PHOTO COURTESY OF SALAMANDER MIDDLEBURG

Sheila Johnson (@officialsheilajohnson) has lived many lives. Previously a concert violinist and music teacher, she went on to be the co-founder of BET (where she became the first Black woman billionaire), the CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, and part-owner of three professional sports teams. Her journey is encapsulated in her memoir, Walk Through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Triumph (Simon & Schuster). As she celebrates the 10th anniversary of Salamander Middleburg’s flagship resort in Virginia, Johnson reflects on her life story.

sheila-johnson-portrait.jpgSheila Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander. Photo by Drew Xeron

Your parents were supportive of you pursuing your passion for music. Unfortunately, a majority of Black kids didn’t have that kind of support growing up. Can you discuss the importance of amplifying the gift of wonder for young Black creators?

It’s imperative we do all we can as a community and individuals to help our youth. As our future, it’s arguably the most important gift that adults, especially older adults, can do for society. A few years ago, I set up a fellowship at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government for 50 students from underserved communities. It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and those young people have become leaders of today and tomorrow.


Sheila Johnson at her 10th anniversary reception PHOTO: COURTESY OF SALAMANDER MIDDLEBURG
Sheila Johnson at her 10th anniversary reception PHOTO: COURTESY OF SALAMANDER MIDDLEBURG

Despite some of your setbacks, you continued to take chances on yourself. How did you find the courage or motivation to do so?

For years, I actually doubted myself. After the end of my first marriage and the sale of Black Entertainment Television, I hit a real low. It was at this point that my mother helped me ‘get my power back.’ I had to reach deep into myself, but without these challenges I had to overcome, I do not think my companies would be as successful as they are today.

We often give ourselves time limits as to when we should do things in our lives. What I appreciate about you is that you continued to evolve in your career path, no matter the age you were at the time.

I started my career in the arts—as a violinist and music teacher—which helped me to become both creative and organized. I used those skills as a building block to help me first succeed in the cable business, followed by the hospitality industry and sports team ownership. I’m now in the third act of my life, but I’m as passionate as ever about pushing the boundaries, and new and current projects. I hope my story of perseverance and fortitude resonates with people, because age is only a barrier if you allow it.


Chefs Gregory Gourdet, Serigne MBaye, Kwame Onwauchi, Damarr Brown, Peter Prime and Tavol Bristol-Joseph at Salamander Middleburg's The Family Reunion event in August 2023. BY CLAY WILLIAMS
Chefs Gregory Gourdet, Serigne MBaye, Kwame Onwauchi, Damarr Brown, Peter Prime and Tavol Bristol-Joseph at Salamander Middleburg's The Family Reunion event in August 2023. BY CLAY WILLIAMS

What have been some of your favorite memories or events throughout the past decade at Salamander Middleburg?

Opening day in August 2013 was a particularly momentous occasion for me, as there had been many people who doubted my ability to both get the resort approved and built. But, it’s gone on to achieve great acclaim and the recurring events we hold there are very special to me: the Middleburg Film Festival, which is almost as old as the resort itself, and the Family Reunion, which celebrates diversity within the hospitality industry and has quickly become one of the premier food and wine events in America.


The Salamander Middleburg library PHOTO COURTESY OF SALAMANDER MIDDLEBURG
The Salamander Middleburg library PHOTO COURTESY OF SALAMANDER MIDDLEBURG

As you celebrate the 10th anniversary of Salamander’s flagship resort, do you have plans to expand or revamp the resort brand/collection?

In celebration of this milestone, my company has rebranded as the Salamander Collection because we now represent much more than hotels and resorts. For the past decade, our unique culture of inclusion, kindness and warmth has created a genuine sense of belonging, and this new chapter truly encapsulates my vision and tells a story that’s been evolving for years. At a Salamander property, you always belong, always feel welcome, respected, appreciated and special. We’re not a cookie-cutter company and that distinguishes us from other luxury brands. Specifically at our resort in Middleburg, we have recently begun welcoming our first community members in our Residences at Salamander development. We are building 49 homes over the next several years and look forward to welcoming many more residents.

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