The Oldest of Seven Mr Vincent Johnson grew up on Chicago’s near Northside in a Chicago Public Housing known as FRANCIS CABRINI. Later, because of an adjoining Housing Complex called William Greene the whole area would be referred to as Cabrini-Greene.

Due mainly to his mother’s influence, he began writing poetry at the age of twelve: right after a thirteen-day stay in a place called, Audy Home for juveniles. Though it did nothing to distract him from his troubled ways it gave him a calling and a way of releasing negative energy and eventually a means of self-empowerment.

Johnson rose around age thirteen from writing poems about nature and romance, to a more revolutionary style; and finally directly associated with our awakening as a people “AWARENESS POETRY!”  Awareness Poetry that says where to focus and how to rid ourselves from falsehoods and habits that keep us off course and mislead. Bringing to terms the debt owed to ourselves as a people; not as some one person or other carrying on like it’s all about them! To break the chains of thinking that lock us into pure selfishness and greed, holding us captive to systems that divide more than unite!

Entering his twenties He became a co-founder of the B.L.A.C.K.S. (Black Lateral Action Committee Knights of Strength), a neighborhood non-for-profit organization designed to improve economically our self - reliance as a people.  

Presently, putting pen to paper, his aim is to highlight experiences relevant to our survival, development and self-awareness. He seek to open hearts and minds to realities better served by casting aside petty differences and customs that confine rather than liberate our spirit-selves and minds. His primary objective is to inspire through words the resurrection of our better selves in all aspects, whether here or abroad; to reclaim our sense of unity as a people over practices that keep us divided.  

Awareness Poetry is about life’s lessons’ learned, and how people have a basic sense of right and wrong- poetry that points out the challenges and downfalls our people (in particular) have to face: and yes, There is Salvation! As the underlying theme. poetry designed to unsettle you  to make you Uncomfortable in an attempt to get you engaged, more willing to embrace constructive change.