Our History

The foundation was established in 2010 after a jury found former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle guilty for the shooting of Oscar Grant. While Wanda Johnson, Oscar’s mother, and her family continue to fight for justice for Oscar, the foundation exists to help mend the distrust between residents in predominantly Black, high-crime communities and law enforcement.

Our programs are designed to build self-esteem in “at-promise” youth from the East Bay, and we encourage our young people and the police to find creative ways to see themselves and others as full of potential instead of a threat.

We offer community support through grief sessions as well as youth services and activities such as scholarships, school supplies giveaways, tutoring and athletic programs, including three basketball teams named after Oscar.