Sheldon K. Johnson MPP’15: Building Inclusive, Equitable Communities With Purpose and Passion

Sheldon Johnson prides himself in his long history of serving others. He jokes that this passion began in elementary school when he helped his classmates solve Where’s Waldo. Today, he describes himself as a husband, father, and lifelong advocate for his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. His mission in life is clear: to create and sustain inclusive and equitable neighborhoods where all residents can thrive. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT), leading efforts to convene partners and resources to build a healthier, more resilient community on the Near East Side of Columbus.

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Johnson’s relationship with PACT began at Sanford, where his Master’s Project centered on policy proposals for the organization. His academic background is diverse. During his undergraduate career at the University of Michigan, his academic portfolio included Black Studies, Political Science, and Education. After Michigan, his commitment to bridging policy and faith led him to pursue a Master of Public Policy from Sanford and a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity, providing a unique view of the crossroads of faith, policy, and community development.

In his personal life, Johnson is just as rooted in community. He lives in the historic Weinland Park neighborhood with his wife, LC (a fellow Blue Devil, class of 2010), and their two children, Sheldon Jr. and Karah. He actively works to improve the world, one neighbor (and occasional “dad joke”) at a time.

A Vision for Sustainable and Inclusive Development

Johnson’s latest project exemplifies his focus on sustainability and equity. In collaboration with various partners, he is leading a pilot project to install residential solar panels in underserved neighborhoods in Central Ohio. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Central Ohio Green Bank to pull down federal funding for green infrastructure. “The Biden administration said, if you're going to pull down these dollars, you’ve got to show us that you're doing equity work... that this is happening in Brown and Black communities,” Johnson explains.

His role leverages relationships across his career and is key to the project’s success. He notes how partners he has worked with at a bank, a development consulting firm, and community organizations have all come together to make this pilot a reality. “We’re really building a model for how these federal dollars can be used in a local community, and I was the nexus point because I had relationships with everybody,” Johnson says, demonstrating his ability to connect diverse stakeholders to achieve a common goal.

People Over Profit: The Core of His Beliefs

When asked what he stands for, Johnson is clear: “I stand for people over profit.” In today’s world, where unchecked capitalism can often drive decision-making, Johnson believes it is crucial to center the lives of individuals in public policy. He reflects on the balance he must strike in his current role as an executive director, where much of his work revolves around strategic planning and engagement with funders. Despite this high-level focus, he emphasizes that “it’s about people, and that’s something that’s really important to me.”

Johnson also champions the idea of the common good—a value he believes has been lost in much of contemporary U.S. society. “Maybe something might be what's best for me or what's best for my family, but if it has a negative impact on my neighbors or the environment, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do,” he argues. For Johnson, building an ethic of the common good into policy decisions is essential for fostering inclusive, sustainable communities.

Planting Seeds for a More Inclusive Future

Johnson has focused on equitable development in a rapidly growing city like Columbus, Ohio. His work aims to create neighborhoods that address the current housing crisis facing many American towns. “One of the seeds of change that I'm trying to plant is making decisions now for mixed-income, mixed-race communities in the future,” he explains, adding that his goal is for legacy residents to remain in their homes and benefit from the city’s growth.

This vision is rooted in his belief that development should not just be about those with the financial means to adapt but should also support vulnerable communities. “I like to think that 10-15 years from now, we'll look back and say, ‘Oh, this neighborhood looks different... it’s more inclusive,’” Johnson shares, expressing his hope that his work will contribute to a future where equitable development is the norm, not the exception.

Building Genuine Connections in a People-Centric Approach

Beyond his work on large-scale projects, Johnson prioritizes authenticity and human connection in everyday interactions. He describes his efforts to engage with people as “being open and real” and aims to make everyone he interacts with feel seen and valued. Whether speaking with funders, community members, or potential partners, Johnson stresses that individuals are “more than what you can do for me... you're a person.” He hopes this approach will inspire others to engage in more people-centered work.

Johnson’s focus on fostering genuine connections is rooted in his personal journey. Growing up shy and feeling overlooked, he now makes it a point to ensure that those who engage with him—whether professionally or personally—feel recognized and appreciated. “Maybe five years from now, we’ll start a ripple of folks having more people-centric engagement,” he muses, reflecting on the potential for this mindset to influence broader social and professional interactions.

Outrageous Ambitions and Sanford’s Legacy

Johnson attributes much of his drive and ambition to the values instilled in him at Sanford. He reflects on Terry Sanford’s challenge to students to “stand for something” and embraces the school's encouragement to pursue “outrageous ambitions.” For Johnson, making an impact in the world is a commitment he takes seriously as a Sanford alumnus.

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“It's significant to me to be an alum of the Terry Sanford School of Public Policy,” he says. “Just like Governor Sanford, we were trained to go out and make an impact in the world.” While personal and professional success is important, Johnson believes that his work must go beyond that: “If I wasn’t doing anything that had an impact in the world, I don’t feel like I would be fulfilling the commitment that we make when we enroll as students at the Sanford School.

A Grateful Leader, Inspired by Alumni Community

Throughout his journey, Johnson remains deeply grateful to be part of a community of Sanford alumni who are making a difference. He expresses his humility and pride in being highlighted as part of the Sanford network, crediting many of his insights on the common good to former Duke Professor Luke Bretherton. “A lot of what you heard me saying around the common good... were things I learned in his classes,” Johnson shares, underscoring the lasting impact of the Sanford community on his life and work.

A Leader Focused on Building an Inclusive Future

Even from those early searches for Waldo, Sheldon K. Johnson’s life has reflected his dedication to making a tangible difference in the world. His ability to bridge sectors, connect people, and advocate for the common good makes him a groundbreaking leader in public policy. As he continues to plant seeds of change in Columbus and beyond, Johnson remains committed to using his platform to stand for people, equity, and the future of sustainable development.