Wanda Johnson

Rev. Wanda Johnson is considered America’s voice of compassion for mothers who have lost loved ones due to police violence. Her heart-breaking story made worldwide news in 2009 when her son, Oscar Grant, was killed by a BART police officer. Since then, her work has transformed into a mission to help young Black men overcome negative racial stereotypes, comfort grieving families and to improve the criminal justice system.

Wanda is a nationally recognized speaker, an accomplished actor and an established minister. She has made appearances on a number of nationally syndicated television programs, at respected colleges and universities throughout the country and at public forums centered on dismantling institutional racism.

Above all her professional responsibilities, Wanda is a licensed and ordained minster of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She currently serves as associate minister at Palma Ceia Baptist Church in Hayward, where she oversees the prayer ministry.

Wanda is currently working on a memoir of Oscar’s childhood.