Who Is Jarvis Johnson? 

A Son and lifelong Public Servant

February 3, 2010

Jarvis started his calling as a Public Servant at the age of six. He would accompany his grandparents, his dad and me to church and school where we volunteered. We instilled in him the importance of church, education and giving back to his community.

By the time Jarvis was 8 years old, I was working for the late Congressman Mickey Leland as his Special Assistant and Community Outreach Specialist. We developed programs, helped veterans, ex-offenders, senior citizens and the community at large to navigate their way through government. Jarvis and his sister Velika often volunteered with me at community events organized by Congressman Leland.

During his early teens, Jarvis and his sister Velika became two of the founding members of the Mickey Leland Youth Task Forces (MLYTF). This was one of the few programs that allowed all of the youth to develop character, inspire understanding, train the mind “how to think” rather than what to think; and provided guidance in helping youth on how to be active participants in life rather than mere spectators. This program gave him the experience and perspective he has today. Jarvis was able to take these skills with him to every position he has held.

During his high school years, Jarvis became an HIV/AIDS youth counselor in middle schools. Two years later, he worked as a juvenile peer counselor at a residential treatment center for young boys. While attending Texas Southern University, he became the Executive Director for the Phoenix Outreach Youth Center (POYC). POYC was designed to give low income youth an opportunity to learn how to live differently, with the desire to reach heights unknown. He had the responsibility of changing the lives of 45 youth his first year. Word soon spread about the awesome opportunities Jarvis offered at the POYC.

In 1996, Jarvis started “Christmas Comes to 5th Ward” as a tribute to the late Congressman Mickey Leland. Jarvis was able to build relationships with various community organizations to help coordinate this event and provide toys to many children who lived in the inner city.

Jarvis has organized issues and events in his community all of his life on different levels. What excites me about Jarvis is seeing all the young people who surround him and who shadow him in our community. Jarvis has always been a leader and motivator who encourages and gives young people an opportunity to do good for themselves and for others.

I believe that we need Jarvis Johnson in Washington D.C. because he has real experience with the community. He understands us. He wants to expand his reach to better serve us at the national level.

~ Mama Cleo