founding brothers
Kenyatta Johnson
Will Mega
Founding Brothers
Kenyatta Johnson
Kenyatta began his career in Public Advocacy and Government while attending Mansfield University. After, taking a Political Science 101 class Kenyatta begin to understand the strategic and critical importance of political advocacy and public policy and how it can be used as a powerful tool in improving conditions of Urban Neighborhoods.
Already, a member of the Black Students Union, Kenyatta increased his involvement in campus activities, serving as the Chair of the Committee on Finance, President of the Student Government Association, and Chair of the Board of Student Governors Presidents.
As President of Student Government Association and Chair, of the BSGP, Kenyatta advocated for funding for the (14) universities within the State System of Higher Education, leading students in the advocacy process for affordable education.
While a student at Mansfield University, Kenyatta attended the Congressman Chaka Fattah Graduate Opportunities Conference funded by the President's Office. After attending the conference, Kenyatta decided to further his education and attended the University of Pennsylvania Fels Center of Government, where he received a Masters Degree in Government Administration.
Kenyatta's passion for community advocacy and public policy continued to develop during his internship for a member of the House of in the 186th District of South Philadelphia, within the neighborhood in which he grew up and still lives. This internship focused on Juvenile Justice and Crime & Violence Prevention Public Policy. Kenyatta served as a Legislative Aide for Youth Development and Community Outreach.
Some of the community work Kenyatta has been involved with include: the Americorps National School and Community Corps. As a Corps Member, he worked with students in the Philadelphia Public School System and the Americorps City Year Program as s Team Leader over a diverse group of young adults ages 17-24 years old, who performed community service though civic engagement projects throughout the city of Philadelphia.
However, struck with the tragedy of violence plaguing Kenyatta's neighborhood, he created Peace Not Guns Inc., a Violence Prevention program that addresses the senseless acts of violence that are taking the lives of many young adults, especially, young black and Latino males.
Through Peace Not Guns Inc., he engages in the Annual Peace Not Guns Unity and Prayer Rally, Youth Empowerment Forums, and Community Partnerships with other Not for Profits organizations and Civic Leaders.
Most recently, Kenyatta worked as the Public Safety and Community Outreach Liaison for State Senator Anthony H. Williams of Philadelphia where he concentrated on issues of crime, violence, youth empowerment, and public safety. In 2006, he completed the Governing for Non Profit Excellence program at the Harvard School of Business that focuses on board leadership and development and strategic planning and performance management of Non Profits. He serves on various community boards such as the NEEEDS Scholarship Board, Vice Chair-Christian Street YMCA, and the YMCA Early Head Start Policy Council, Point Breeze Community Development Coalition, Young America PAC, and a member Prince Hall Masons-Sheba Lodge #7 and Demolay Consistory
Will Mega
Will Mega is “Born to Serve, and Prepared to Lead!” He is a “mega” achiever in his professional, personal and political aspirations. He is founder of The Men of Wynnefield a men’s non-profit organization with a mission to empower the men of the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia. In 2006-2007 he has served as the Director of Field Operations for democratic primary City Council winner Curtis Jones Jr. He also served as Director of Field Operations for Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Alan Sandals in 2005-2006. He is the president of Will Mega and Associates, email marketing, government relations and political field operations firm. His passion to empower young adults led him to creating the Hip Hop Agenda, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on politically empowering young voters. Hip Hop Agenda, Inc. partnered with P Diddy’s Citizen Change – Vote or Die campaign and organized over 10,000 college students in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh during the 2004 Presidential election. For his leadership and Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) efforts he received the 2004 Voice and Opportunity through Elections Community Service Award. He also co-founded the National Political Hip Hop Convention held in 2004 in Newark, NJ with over 6000 participants 18-35 year olds attending from across the country. In 2003, Will Mega ran for Philadelphia City Council becoming the youngest candidate to run for that office and receiving the Mayor’s 2003 Influential Leadership Torchbearer Award. He has been involved in politics since he was nine years old when Curtis Jones, Jr., now president of Philadelphia Commercial Development Corporation recruited him to mobilize young people in the community and work on the successful campaigns of then State Representatives, Congressman Chaka Fattah and State Senator Vincent Hughes.
He currently serves as the Director of Membership for The Rainmakers, Inc. an African-American young professional organization focused on leveraging a professional network of resources in order to empower professionals in economics, education, and politics. He led the Rainmakers recent black literature campaign - Literacy ONE that tackles the literacy problem and targets grade school students across the city. He has always been committed to giving back to the community and has worked in the social service and behavioral health management field, counseling youth for over ten years. Mega is a recipient of the 2005 Hon. Lucien E. Blackwell community service award and Mayor’s citation. In February 2005 he appeared in the Philadelphia Tribune special edition magazine as one of Philadelphia’s Most Influential African-Americans under the age of 40 to watch. As a former violence prevention consultant, he taught junior high and high school students conflict resolution and self-esteem skills for the non-profit organization, Men United for a Better Philadelphia.
Mega’s national exposure began when he appeared in 2000 on the first season of the reality television show, Big Brother. From that he was able to leverage his acting career and speaking engagements with guest appearances on many TV and radio programs including; The Early Show with Bryan Gumble, BET Nightly News with Ed Gordon, Tavis Smiley Show, CNN’s Showbiz Today, Entertainment Tonight, Howard Stern Show, Queen Latifah Show, Sally Jessie Raphael Show, NPR, and The Tom Joyner Show. His most recent appearance was on the big screen in the movie, Like Mike starring Bow Wow and Morris Chestnut.
Whether pursuing his professional, personal or political goals he is dedicated to positive change. He lives in the Wynnefield section of West Philadelphia and is the proud father of his son Kasai. He is a human service professional and political strategist by professional with a graduate degree from Lincoln University with Masters of Human Services.