AJ Johnson + Sarah McCreary are the Queens of the (Movie) Double Feature

This month, we’re bowing to 11 badass local couples making moves (with righteous intent) and leaving their mark on the District. Among several questions, we ask how they’d remix the concept of power couple. What emerged is a collective belief that the energy you bring, the responsibility you share (to each other and your community), and the joy of the journey all greatly matter. We also learned love and humor coexist well. Thank you for the laughs and inspiration. 

Andra “AJ” Johnson, Partner + Beverage Director of Serenata + Founder of White Plates, Black Faces + Sarah McCreary, Director of Brand Marketing of Colada Shop

Power Couple, Redefined
When you think of a power couple most people gravitate toward this idea of influence and affluence. We don’t see ourselves that way and don’t want to be seen that way. If anything, we want to empower each other to be the best people we can be to ourselves and to others. And if that inspires others to do the same then we are here for it.

Strike A Balance
A healthy mix of yoga, good wine and Taco Bell. We don’t get to spend a lot of our nights hanging out together so when we do, we always try to incorporate things we love.

Couple Mantra
We don’t have one [but] we should probably get one.

Lessons Learned
We both helped each other to build confidence in our talents and turn the things that get us excited into creative careers. Plus, AJ taught me (Sarah) how to make my first Negroni for her first stint behind the bar and I remind AJ to take a break every once in a while.

Conflict Resolution Tips
Constructive communication and active listening. We have been together for over five years and what we know for sure is that disagreements will occur but choosing to have the hard conversations and talk through it with an open mind works better than sweeping things under the rug. We always try to speak each other’s love languages.

Caffeine Dependency
Sarah most definitely. The day does not start without three shots of espresso.

Daily Hustle
We both understand you’ve got to just go for it. We’ve both been each other’s biggest cheerleaders, no matter what. We support each other’s individual dreams, even when it means that we don’t get to spend as much time together or even live in the same city.

The Meet Cute
Sarah was hired at the restaurant that I (AJ) was the assistant general manager of at the time.  The general manager told me we weren’t hiring any new people and we needed to focus on our current staff.  I went on vacation for a week and when I came back there was this new person there that “We just had to hire.” He was right.

D.C. Date Spot
AMC Theatres Georgetown. We are the queens of the double feature.

Celebrity Hall Pass
Johnson: Megan Thee Stallion
McCreary: Kate McKinnon

Our Song
“Beyond” by Leon Bridges is our song but Kehlani is an artist we always groove to.

Follow Johnson and McCreary on their personal IGs @whiteplatesblackfaces and @smc_cheer_y. Follow their businesses here: @serenatadc and serenatadc.com and @coladashop and coladashop.com, respectively. 

Enjoy this piece? Consider becoming a member for access to our premium digital content. Support local journalism and start your membership today.