Larry Johnson began addressing gang related violence as a citizen in 1995; directly engaging youth through mentorship, advocacy, and conflict resolution. Within four years, he left his job at the University of Kentucky, to accept the position of Director of Violence Prevention and Intervention, with a local agency funded out of the Mayor’s Office. In this role, he served to build collaboration between the public sector and private sector; served on various state committees addressing child welfare and juvenile justice; and participated in national forums addressing youth and young adult violence and youth empowerment. He promoted use of the Search Institute’s Developmental Asset approach; became the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s America’s Promise representative; served on the Kentucky Youth Development Partnership Team; and led its Positive Youth Development Community Collaboration Initiative. In 2021, Larry joined the ONE Lexington Team to directly address Gun Violence.
One Lexington delivers produce to neighborhood struck with recent gun violence (youtube.com)