Southfield Public Schools’ Board Member Amani Johnson has been a leader since day one.
Photo provided by Amani Johnson
We see them. They’re leading the way as influencers in their own right. Black millennials who are ahead of the curve and serving in a lane, and league, all their own. This four-part series delves into who they are and what’s next for them. This is Part 1.
They got jokes, but all in good jest.
During Southfield resident Amani Johnson’s campaign for the Southfield Public Schools’ (SPS) Board of Education seat, he met with fellow residents in 2019 and noticed that some lightheartedly poked fun at him saying that they had clothes hanging up older than him.
The confident millennial, who graduated from Southfield-Lathrup High School in 2013, took it in stride though. Because even in their well-meaning teasing they recognized that in Johnson there was something of substance that, coupled with his hard work and determination, won them over. His new supporters came through when they said that they would vote for him — and vote for him they did.
Johnson added that the community reaction has been “very positive” as he finished in first place in a field of seven candidates and 2,500 votes ahead of the second-place candidate.
“It’s not as intimidating as you might think to run for office as a young person. Of course, people will doubt you and voters joke about your age (and say), ‘I have clothes older than you,’ (and), ‘I didn’t know they let kids run for office now,’” he said.
Johnson made history as the youngest person on the seven-member SPS board.
“Voters love to support young, home-grown candidates,” Johnson said. “I decided to run for school board because a lot of the problems we had when I was in school are still problems to this day,” Johnson said. Among the problems he mentioned are hot classrooms, crumbling infrastructure, lack of career/skilled trades opportunities, and student discipline.
Johnson said that his board responsibilities have been superb and he’s worked on considering the district’s plan to return students to in-person learning, (the district will reopen its school buildings on March 1 using a hybrid model of in-person and remote learning). He is also passionate about bringing green energy ideas to the district.
“I’m preparing to start enacting the agenda I was elected to carry out, with a focus on environmental sustainability, job opportunities for our students/recent graduates and our infrastructure needs,” he said, adding that being the youngest school board member is all what a person makes of it.
“I’m at least 10 years younger than any other elected official in our community, and I think that gives me a unique perspective. We have very different mindsets, which can be a good thing. Our citizens deserve to be represented by people from all backgrounds,” he said. He added that being a trailblazer is empowering because he has a seat at the table and “an opportunity to advocate for progressive policies. In addition, I feel a sense of duty to other dynamic young people to help them get elected to local office.”
Presently, Johnson is managing a Plymouth-based branding and advertising agency for political campaigns when he is not on the school board.
“I plan to keep working to elect good people to public office and execute my agenda. I don’t have intentions to run for higher office anytime soon, but I will at some point. Right now, I want to stay focused on the school district and make sure we provide the best possible experience for our families, staff and the community as a whole,” he said, adding that his experience has helped him be prepared for where he is now. “I’m unique because of my age and the amount of experience I have working on campaigns: Detroit City Councilwoman Brenda Lawrence, Southfield Mayor Ken Siver, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Andy Meisner, and State Rep. Jim Haadsma. I feel a sense of duty to help other young people run for office and win.”
He has also been working to recruit more young progressives to run for office in the upcoming 2021 municipal elections.
“I’ll keep doing this for years to come. I’m also considering starting a PAC specifically for progressive candidates running for city council, school board and county commission seats,” Johnson said, adding that young people should boldly work to walk in the direction of their dreams. “Don’t be afraid to take the first step and run for office. Go get petitions from your local clerk’s office and run. Your natural skills with technology and communication will be an asset. Most local school boards, city councils and county commission races go uncontested. There is a lot of opportunity. Don’t listen to people who tell you to wait your turn. Also, reach out to me because I’m happy to help.”
Fellow Board member Ashanti Bland said that Johnson has “some great ideas” around infrastructure improvement and going green.
“I think being a lifelong resident of Southfield has propelled him to want to see Southfield grow and cultivate into a culture of innovation in the city,” Bland, who has a Generation Z son, said. “I look forward to working with Amani. I think he is definitely taking the right steps to become a positive impact on our community.”
Bland added that she thinks he is initiating a trend, along with State Rep. Jewell Jones, of young Black men getting involved in politics early. “I see us on the cusp of something new. I hope Amani gives way to show people, especially millennials and Generation Zers, it is possible. You don’t have to work in corporate for 20 years and be married and have kids to engage yourself in politics. … He has made it attainable,” she added.
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