Tired of not seeing herself or her other lesbian friends’ turbulent romantic lives on TV, Sheri Johnson decided to “build her own table,” and write and executive produce a series just for them financed out of her own pocket on a teacher’s salary.

That series, “StudvilleTV,” grew into a three-season phenomenon among LGBTQ viewers on YouTube, attracting 100,000 subscribers in 39 countries. With no formal training in the industry and a drive to turn her vision into a reality, Sheri was able to create a show starring amateur actresses that generated 10 million views.

But when YouTube shifted its content filters preventing further monetization of the show through advertising, Sheri took control again in 2017 and created Strong Voices Television (SVTV Network), a whole new digital media distribution network for herself and other top LGBTQ content creators.

Today, SVTV Network champions the underrepresented voices of the entire LGBTQ community, delivering a fresh mix each month of original and licensed entertainment and sports content reflecting the rich and authentic diversity of all queer lives now. SVTV is currently available on iOS, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, AppleTV, and Roku.

SVTV Network is just one example of how Sheri Johnson’s tenacity and resilience drive her to reach her goals. A native of Columbus, Georgia, Sheri developed her self-discipline and focusing strengths on the basketball court in high school and college. In the late 1990s, she played on the Columbus, Georgia Lady Blazers team, part of the WABA semi-professional women’s basketball league. She is presently a coach and 7th grade social studies teacher in Harris County, Georgia, leading her volleyball and basketball teams to multiple championship titles. She previously served the community of Columbus by working as a firefighter for four years, quickly climbing the ranks to Sergeant.

In addition, Sheri has shared her struggles with infertility by authoring two books to help others with the same challenges and guide them to fertility success. https://www.cheaporfreeinfertility.com/

She recently authored her first children’s book “Black Girl Magic,” releasing Spring 2022, based on the short film she wrote and executive produced of the same title. www.blackgirlmagicseries.com. Written during the COVID-19 worldwide isolation and a time of racial unrest in our country, Sheri wanted to send the message to all black girls that they have magic within them.

Her strong work ethic and passion for equality infuse everything she does in her overall goal to be a mentor and advocate for the LGBTQ community. As a member of Out Georgia, Sheri supports LGBTQ business leaders and organizations that align with her mission to amplify the voices of the LGBTQ community. Sheri is the recipient of the Constellation Award 2021 from the Heaven Help One Help All Foundation for her work supporting Atlanta-area youth via donations of school supplies and Christmas gifts.

With SVTV Network, Sheri worked with the LGBTQ youth organization “Lost & Found,” highlighting them in the hit SVTV Network original series “Stud Model Project.” She and SVTV Network have also donated funds at the Atlanta Dream halftime show to Pride School Atlanta, which helped provide a safe environment for LGBTQ youth.

Sheri holds several degrees including a master’s in social science from Troy University, a bachelor’s in communications from the University of South Florida, where she played Division I basketball, and continuing education certificates in web and graphic design from Kennesaw State University.

While building SVTV Network with a small yet mighty team, Sheri has navigated a road full of valuable learning lessons, obstacles, and sacrifices. She’s immensely proud of how the platform has grown into a safe place for LGBTQ creators to tell their own stories, their way and looks forward to helping other creators expand their storytelling opportunities on the SVTV Network platform.