Aaron Johnson, MS Founder & Principal
Justice Rooted Strategist | Workforce Architect | Trauma—Informed Systems Leader
I help organizations build systems where people can thrive, not just survive. My work sits at the intersection of prevention science, workforce development, and healing-centered practice, informed by 12+ years leading initiatives across corporate, nonprofit, government, and education sectors.
CAREER SNAPSHOT
Federal Service & Corporate Operations (2009–2016) TSA Transportation Security Officer → W.W. Grainger (warehousing, training, B2B sales moving millions in revenue)
Education & Youth Development (2016–2018) DeKalb County Schools (8th–12th grade ELA Teacher) → Urban League of Greater Atlanta (opportunity youth, career pathways, GED programs)
Community Health & Violence Prevention (2018–2022) CHRIS180 — Managed $2M trauma response initiative, built 60+ partner network, achieved 25% reduction in youth violence
Philanthropy & National Leadership (2022–2024) Partnership for Southern Equity — $2.5M portfolio, 40+ cross-sector partners National Youth Employment Coalition — $3M+ funding secured, 300+ leaders across 10 cities
JMCG (2020–Present) Founded Johnson Mapenzi Consulting Group to hold the full complexity of systems change work
WHY I FOUNDED JMCG
Throughout my career, I kept gathering tools: business acumen from enterprise sales, liberatory frameworks from abolition organizing, pedagogical strategies from working with expelled youth, public health science from prevention work.
Traditional organizations wanted me to pick one lane. But the problems we're solving don't respect those boundaries.
A young person leaving incarceration doesn't just need a job, they need trauma-informed support, employer partners who understand their journey, and systems that don't set them up to fail.
JMCG was built to hold that complexity. A space where business strategy and abolitionist values coexist. Where we're rigorous about outcomes AND rooted in community wisdom.
EDUCATION
Master of Science, Community Health & Prevention Science University of Cincinnati | 2025 Specialized in implementation science, program evaluation, grant writing, and health equity
Bachelor of Arts, English Language & Literature Clark Atlanta University | 2009
CERTIFICATIONS
Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Northwestern University
Nonprofit Leadership Essentials | Northwestern University
Successful Career Development | University System of Georgia
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Trauma-Informed Workforce Strategy & Training
Career Pathway Design & Workforce Development
Violence Prevention & Harm Reduction
Community Engagement & Healthcare Partnerships
Grant Design & Program Evaluation
Strategic Planning & Systems Change
