Mr. Sam W. Johnson Sr. Mr. Johnson was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He grew up with four other siblings, two brothers and two sisters. Sam grew up as a Baptist and a follower of the teaching of Jesus Christ. He started working at Churches Chicken at seventeen, was promoted to manager, and eventually transferred to Oakland, California, managing 40 people. In Mr. Johnson’s former position as the Men’s Advisory Council (MAC) Representative, he worked tirelessly to “speed up the momentum for justice reform” for thousands of incarcerated men at San Quentin State Prison.
More recently, as a Program Coordinator at Arsola’s Reentry Program, he passionately shows a
desire to gain homes for formerly incarcerated people to aid in their transition to society, combat
the homeless crisis in the Bay Area, and reduce recidivism by assisting in a job opportunity,
education, and other positive program resources available through Impact Justice. His 26 years of
experience within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation serves as his daily
motivation to support, encourage, and improve the chances of success of reentry for those
formerly incarcerated. He knows that his participation is crucial to doing this well while also
rebuilding trusting relationships in our communities.