By Fred L. Jones, Jr.
Eagle Staff Writer
“I continue our fight for Freedom and Justice in the North community. It’s OUR fight not just mine” – Mareo Johnson
We hear it all the time. Why does the community north of downtown Tulsa seem so laden with crime and gang activities? Why has a community once so rich with strong African American young men poised and ready to make a difference in the community, city and nation suddenly become one of America’s top five communities for crime and violence?
Thanks to a few good men there is still hope, God always has a ram in the bus. Pastor Mareo Johnson of Seeking the Kingdom Ministries Inc. still has love for the community he once was a gangbanger in and because of that he still has love and care for Tulsa north. Pastor Johnson still has skin in the game when it comes to the hood.
Rev. Johnson, a Tulsa native who once lived a hard life, who has been a victim of injustice and police brutality, has seen his life transition for the better in 2009 by accepting the call of God. Rev. Johnson is no stranger to the struggles of the people who has a deep love for the city and community.
In 1993 he made an attempt at changing his life by joining a group of businessman and others to bring gangs together and stopping the violence. Now living life another way as pastor, community leader, public servant, and activist, he has been outreaching and fighting for years. Since 2009, Rev. Johnson has talked throughout the years urging youth and adults to stay away from or get out of the prison and gang life.
In 2010 he participated in some stop the violence walks through some of the north Tulsa neighborhoods. Also, on a couple different occasions participated as a guest panelist in community forums held by the 100 Black Men of Tulsa.
Participating in The Cure which was a monthly event held at the Tulsa Dream Center empowering youth and adults through art and music, he also spoke at a few different north side churches and schools to the youth including CHOSEN which was a ministry of Victory Christian center that will bus in youth from the north community. He connected with Goodwill Industries of Tulsa going through some of their training then going on to work temporarily for them. Through Goodwill he worked for The Day Center for the Homeless in helping taking care of the homeless. Further going on to be a part of countless community outreaches and campaigns held throughout the city of Tulsa.
While feeding the homeless children and adults in low-income neighborhoods and outreaches at John 3:16 in downtown Tulsa he obtained his GED and went on to take some courses at Tulsa Community College (TCC), where he became a member of African American Student Association (AASA) under the leadership of Dr. Dewayne Dickens and also part of the Afro American Male Student Success Team (AAMSST), and sub-committee of the student government. While at TCC he was Master of Ceremony of a few of the TCC Gospel Fest that’s held annually at the college and also was Master of Ceremony for the 91st Anniversary of 1921 Race Riot.
Rev. Johnson also became a part of Phi-Beta-Lambda (PBL) and competed in Justice Administration Regional College Contest and took first place in the competition. In 2011 he became a part of Victory Christian Center Staff as a facility worker. Being a part of the Alter Ministry, Evangelism, Music Ministry, Kids Outreach, Prison Ministry, Men’s Ministry where he led a group for four years called Transformed Living. In 2014 he graduated Victory Bible College.
On a quest for justice as Black Lives Matter advocate for Jeremy Lake, who was killed by ex-officer Shannon Kepler, he followed and supported justice from basically the beginning to the end where the officer was convicted of first-degree manslaughter. Rev. Johnson has actively participated, helped, or lead unity gatherings, demonstrations, marches, and protests for prison reform, policy changes, and police reform before his friend Terence Crutcher was murdered by ex-Tulsa officer Betty Shelby on Sept. 9, 2016. He took part in the 1st Conference where the video was first shown to some community leaders on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016.
On the following day, he led a Black Lives Matter protest held in front of the Tulsa County Courthouse. Following the acquittal of Betty Shelby, he helped level the crowd, which was filled with mix emotions, in front of the Mayo Hotel where Betty Shelby was believed to be inside.
Rev. Johnson is still fighting for the people and community. Rev. Mareo Johnson still has skin in the game.
