About Michael
A Portland native. A community builder. A father who turned grief into action.
Michael Johnson was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He has spent his life working to make his city safer, more equitable, and more accountable — not from behind a desk, but on the ground, in the communities that need it most.
In 2023, Michael's son Marlan was murdered. Rather than retreat from public life, Michael channeled that grief into deeper advocacy — joining the OHSU Gun Violence Prevention Commission and redoubling his commitment to the communities most affected by violence. His platform is built on a simple but powerful idea: those closest to the problem are closest to the solution.
Michael calls his approach Redemptive Justice — the belief that people with lived experience of hardship are uniquely positioned to lead the way toward healing and systemic change. It's not just a slogan. It's how he has operated for years as a credible-messenger outreach worker, a nonprofit founder, and a policy advisor.
Boards, Commissions & Community Roles
OHSU Gun Violence Prevention Commission
Serves on a 30-person expert panel funded by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, working alongside public health professionals from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and the Multnomah County District Attorney's office to analyze firearm-related injuries and deaths and inform state-level policy.
Take 3 Outreach Services (Take III)
Founded this nonprofit focused on gang outreach, youth mentorship, and reconnecting fathers with their children as a primary strategy for reducing community violence.
Parents of Murdered Children (POMC)
Joined following the 2023 murder of his son Marlan to provide support for grieving families and push for systemic change in how Portland responds to gun violence.
Portland Mayor's Office & Multnomah County DA
Provides community-level feedback on the efficacy of gun plans and local safety measures, serving as a bridge between street-level reality and formal policy.
What drives Michael
Credibility
Michael's authority comes from lived experience — as a former gang member turned community leader, he builds trust where others cannot.
Accountability
He holds institutions to the same standard he holds himself: show your work, back it up with receipts, and deliver for the people you serve.
Community First
Every policy position starts with one question: does this actually help the people who need it most?
Ready to stand with Michael?
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