he accolades were numerous, with even Police Chief Gordon Ramsay calling the event a success. With the success of the follow-up picnic in McAdams Park, the three have clearly solidified themselves as leaders of the local movement for change.
A.J. Bohannon first stepped to the forefront, following the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. You may remember, he launched a protest after he was asked to leave Towne East Mall for wearing a hoodie. Brandon Johnson, has been working in the community with his non-profit organization Community Operations Recovery Empowerment, Inc. The organization, works to empower the community through an array of projects as diverse as community gardens and expungement workshops. Until recently, Wash was a community organizer with Sunflower Community Action, and worked with the group on a number of issues include revising payday loans and voter empowerment.
The three are no longer Wichita’s future leaders. Their position as leaders is clear. They’ve gained not only the respect of Ramsay, but the Mayor Jeff Longwell and the local media. The good news is the trio work closely with other organizations and still recognize the wisdom of older community leaders and see a place for them in advancing a positive agenda for the community.
