Carol G. Johnson
Founder of 1865 Fest & Co- Chair 1865 Coalition
Carol G. Johnson (Ms. J) is a lifelong West Side Chicago resident, raised in West Garfield Park and a longtime Austin community member where she raised five children. With over 20 years as an organizer, she has led youth education initiatives, parent groups, and violence prevention efforts, while serving as Local School Council Chairman for Westinghouse, Spencer Tech, and Al Raby High School.She played a key role in developing Westinghouse College Prep and Duke Ellington School of Excellence, and advocated to keep Crane High School open during citywide school closures. In 2020, she founded the Westside Cultural Alliance to preserve African American history on Chicago’s West Side, and in 2021 launched the 1865 Festival and Coalition.
Ms. J remains an active community leader, serving with Garfield Park Advisory Council and as a Nature Area steward. She lives in Austin with her husband of 30+ years and is a proud grandmother and pillar of her community.
Ms. J remains an active community leader, serving with Garfield Park Advisory Council and as a Nature Area steward. She lives in Austin with her husband of 30+ years and is a proud grandmother and pillar of her community.
jonathan projansky
Head
Operations |Logistic Committee
D'elegance Lane
Chair
Little Village Committee
A Beautiful Tech LLC
Nachelle Pugh
Co-Chair
Entertainment Committee
John Walt Foundation
Kenya Johnson -brown
Chair
Wellness | Senior Committee
We Care 2 Agency
Tony RAGGS
Support Staff
Entertainment | Wellness Committee
Boxing Off The Block
del marie
Co-Chair
Entertainment Committee
A Del Marie Production
derion barnes
Chair
Volunteer Committee
Breakthrough
Dr. ANGELIQUE ORR
Chair
Outreach | Marketing
Westside Rising
greg Matthew
Co-Chair
Wellness | Logistics
Sankofa Village Wellness Center