THE FOUNDER

At his core, David Johnson is a story keeper and creative bridge builder.

His creative work has taken him worldwide. First, with a volunteer trip to El Salvador then as a staff photographer with an Ethiopian newspaper. Creative freedom to “go cover the city” meant he could traverse at his own pace, stopping to meet with people, hear their stories, and take part in their world, capturing it all in vivid color. These early encounters laid the groundwork for understanding himself as a cultural translator. Johnson communicates the visual language of the subject, audience, and brand, providing needed space for each group to see themselves fully within the work.

Johnson’s sense of what is meaningful also powered the formation of True Chicago in 2017. The arts non-profit empowers Black and brown youth in Chicago to own their creative futures. Born from a spontaneous workshop, the platform now hosts conferences and a quarterly mentorship program, all in the name of equipping the next generation with the resources, knowledge, and opportunities needed to thrive.