KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dr. Anne Lambert Johnson is a dentist, mentor, philanthropist and pioneer in Kansas City.

She is the first African American dentist in Kansas City and has been practicing for 47 years.

Her long history reveals the struggles that many African American dentists faced before the Civil Rights Act of 1965.

“I started dental school and never looked back,” Dr. Johnson said as she smiled and talked about the beginning of her career.

Johnson has an undergraduate degree from Virginia Union University. She attended Howard University, a historically Black research university in Washington D.C. where she earned her master’s degree in molecular biology and her dental degree.

Dr. Johnson is focused on the future, caring for her patients and mentoring African American girls, encouraging them to consider becoming a dentist.

“I’ve had four or five women who are now practicing who came and practiced with me for a little time,” Dr. Johnson said, beaming with joy.

Shonte’ Reed, is a first-year dental student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City; and Dr. Johnson is her mentor and hero.

Find the full story from KSHB-TV, Channel 41, here.