“I grew up learning a lot about my history as an African-American. As I grew older, I realized that the black people that came before us has made us into what we are today, so of course I had to include them in my doodle,” Johnson, who is the first African American to win the national competition, wrote in a blog. 

In addition to the celebration of natural hair, the 15-year-old’s drawing is full of powerful imagery which gives several nods to black historical figures (Nelson Mandela, Frederick Douglass, among others), symbols that link the black experience in the United States to Africa and demonstrations from the past and present that declare black lives matter.

Johnson, who’s been painting since she was 7, said she worked on her project over her Thanksgiving break. The teen said art is just a hobby and she aspires to go into the criminal justice field one day.

Even if she never picks up a pencil again, Johnson’s art has already made history and she said that now she has a found a new appreciation for art.

“Doodle 4 Google gave me an understanding of why art matters and why MY art matters — it’s because it speaks to people,” Johnson wrote. “No matter the differences we have, everyone is touched by all art in some way.”