Marcus Johnson

Marcus Johnson is an associate director with the Center for Justice Innovation, where he supports violence prevention and community wellness initiatives across New York City public housing communities. His work focuses on advancing public safety through community-led engagement, youth development, and participatory budgeting strategies that center resident voice and long-term neighborhood investment. Through the Mayor’s Action Plan/NeighborhoodStat initiative, he collaborates with residents, government agencies, and community partners to address the root causes of violence while strengthening trust, opportunity, and collective efficacy. Growing up in Harlem shaped his understanding of how violence, trauma, and systemic inequities impact communities, and continues to inform his commitment to creating safer and healthier neighborhoods through public health-informed approaches.

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities through innovative approaches to justice and community well-being. The organization partners with residents, government agencies, and local stakeholders to address issues including violence prevention, youth development, housing stability, behavioral health, and neighborhood safety. Through initiatives such as the Mayor’s Action Plan/NeighborhoodStat, the Center supports resident-led decision-making and participatory budgeting efforts that invest directly in community priorities. By combining community organizing, restorative practices, and public health-informed strategies, the organization works to strengthen trust, expand opportunity, and create sustainable solutions that improve quality of life in historically underserved communities.