MEET CHRIS JOHNSON
Chris Johnson is a 33-year-old advocate and community leader focused on strengthening public education and fighting for working families.
He was born and raised in the Yorktown neighborhood of North Philadelphia and now proudly lives in Mt. Airy.
Chris is a man of faith and comes from a family rooted in service—his grandmother was an educator, and his mother is a dedicated public servant and advocate for at-risk youth. These experiences shaped his belief that service can change lives and help break systems of inequality.
Chris Johnson is a proud HBCU graduate of Oakwood University, where he studied political science and discovered his passion for public service rooted in faith, justice, and opportunity.
An internship with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C., helped shape his vision for how government can make a real difference in people’s lives. He later earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government.
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Chris now serves as Director of State and Federal Government Relations for the School District of Philadelphia, where he fights for funding to improve the district’s aging facilities, invest in strong academic programs, and pay our hard-working educators and staff.
Chris previously worked as a Regional Representative for U.S. Senator Bob Casey.
He was drawn to Senator Casey’s office by his Five Freedoms for America’s Children agenda and a shared commitment to ensuring that working-class and historically underrepresented communities in Philadelphia are not only heard but empowered at the highest levels of government. In his role, Chris helped to bring federal funding to the Philly region for new school buildings, SEPTA improvements, and community programs supporting youth, maternal health, and workforce development.
Earlier in his career, Chris served as District Office Director for Speaker Joanna McClinton.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his team helped thousands of residents navigate urgent needs like jobs, healthcare, and housing—reinforcing his belief that government should show up when people need it most.
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Chris is a member of Weaver’s Way Co-op and the Urban League of Greater Philadelphia’s NExT program, and an alumnus of Leadership Philadelphia. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball, collecting vinyl records, and cheering on Philadelphia’s sports teams.