Prioritizing Wellbeing: Jesse Johnson Talks Black Men’s Mental Health on The Pop-Up!
Former Washington State Representative and educator Jesse Johnson joined host Deaunte Damper and fellow guest Cortez Charles on The Pop-Up! to discuss leadership, community, and the importance of Black men's mental health.
The Weight of Leadership and Choosing Mental Health
Reflecting on his rapid ascent in politics, Johnson shared his journey of breaking barriers. At just 26 years old, he successfully unseated a two-term incumbent to become the first Black member of the Federal Way City Council. Driven by a lack of representation and a desire to give a voice to the voiceless, Johnson's platform initially focused on gun violence prevention, supporting justice-involved youth, and economic development.
By late 2019, Johnson transitioned into the state legislature, only to find himself navigating the dual crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and the localized fallout of national racial trauma, including the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Manuel Ellis. Tasked with leading challenging police accountability legislation as one of only four Black legislators at the time, Johnson opened up about the immense strain of balancing community grief with governmental resistance.
Quoting James Baldwin, Johnson described walking into chambers in a "constant state of rage" while simultaneously facing death threats during public town halls. While he leaned heavily on his faith, family, and community to keep his composure, the compounding toll eventually led him to make a difficult choice.
Following the signing of the police reform bills, Johnson decided not to seek re-election, choosing instead to step away from the legislature to prioritize his family and his own mental wellbeing.
"We put on these superhero capes and we're like, we only know how to go hard—like 110%," Johnson said, warning against "playing hero ball" at the expense of oneself. "Sometimes we strangle ourselves with the superhero cape because we think we can handle everything. You've got to be a little humble about it... you need people around you. That’s why it's a community."
Finding Joy and Healing in Community
A central theme of the broadcast was rewriting the narrative around how Black men gather. Johnson emphasized that true healing requires moving away from spaces strictly defined by shared trauma, funerals, or community crises. Instead, he advocated for cultivating spaces centered on storytelling, music, and intentional joy.
When asked by Damper why healing among Black men is so uniquely critical, Johnson pointed to the necessity of internal solidarity. "Black men healing is important because we are not told we are great from the outside society, and so we need that from one another," he said, emphasizing the power of mutual affirmation in helping individuals become the best versions of themselves.
Looking to 2028
After taking the necessary time away to focus on his household and secure the blessing of his wife, Epiphany, Johnson revealed that he is officially answering the call to return to public service.
Confirming a planned return to politics for the 2028 election cycle, Johnson noted that both of his children will be in school by then, allowing him the flexibility to run. When pressed by Damper on whether he would seek his former seat or chart a new path, Johnson said he will be running for a completely different position.
While keeping the specifics of the upcoming campaign under wraps, Johnson made his core motivation clear. "I feel like we need leaders that are going to put community first and not put the party first," he said.
Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays live at 9 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
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