Seba Johnson

Johnson retired from athletic competition in 1992 to pursue an education in fine arts at Howard University, and to educate youth about health and animal welfare. The racism she experienced as a black skier played a part in her decision to retire early. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and has appeared in commercials and television productions. Johnson lives in Los Angeles and has worked as a special education assistant, has become a Certified Yoga Teacher, and continues to accept requests as an international public speaker.

In 1989, Johnson was disqualified from a World Cup ski race for refusing to wear a suit containing wool and leather. Johnson qualified for the 1994 Winter Olympics, but chose not to compete in protest of Norway's decision to resume whaling. She petitioned the IOC to challenge Japan to end whale and dolphin hunting before the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Johnson has also spoken out against homophobia, criticizing the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia for the "horrid anti-gay law that now exists in that host country".

At age 14, Johnson represented the Virgin Islands in giant slalom and Super-G at the 1988 Winter Olympics, where she became the youngest alpine ski racer and first black female skier in Olympic history. She was also the flag bearer in the opening ceremony. At age 15, Johnson became the first black ski racer to finish in the top 30 in international competition. She competed again for the Virgin Islands in slalom and giant slalom at the 1992 Winter Olympics. As of 2014, she remains the only black woman to ski competitively at the Olympic Games.