EVERETT — The county on Tuesday tapped former Snohomish schools official Wil Johnson to lead the Office of Social Justice as the county’s chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.
Johnson previously worked for the Snohomish School District as its director of equity and inclusion. He started that role in 2021. Johnson is also the creator and host of the At-homish Podcast.
“I am thankful for this opportunity to support and serve this community which I call home,” Johnson said in a press release. “When I reflect on awareness and conversations around social justice, it all comes down to ensuring that people and communities have access to what they need to enjoy life, feel safe, and know they are not alone.”
Johnson has also managed special education programs and has worked as a behavioral interventionist. He served in the U.S. Army as a medical specialist.
The Office of Social Justice was established following the protests over George Floyd’s murder. One of the original intentions of the office was police oversight and cash bail reform. The office received its first substantial budget in 2022. That same year, county officials proposed a police oversight board, but worries about state law helped push the project to the side.
The office hit hurdles during its creation, as funding limitations and lack of political will took a toll, staffers said at the time. The county’s Law and Justice Advisory committee was proposed as a place to have conversations around policing, but had not been active for years, county officials said in 2022.
The Office of Social Justice seeks to “dismantle the individual, institutional, and structural racism that exists in the County,” according to its county webpage.
The top position has been vacant since January.
“We are so grateful to welcome Wil to our team. His experience in building strong relationships, educating diverse audiences, and finding ways to address systemic barriers will be invaluable,” County Executive Dave Somers said in the press release. “I am deeply committed to having a county government that does not only talk about equity but finds the places where we need to do better and takes the steps to make real change.”
Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; X: @jordyhansen.
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