Destiny Johnson was a youth advocate who transformed her experience with foster care, homelessness, and incarceration into a movement helping thousands of at-risk youth. She founded Second Chance Youth in Baltimore, providing housing, education, job training, and love to 2,000+ young people. She believed every kid deserves a second chance—she'd gotten hers.
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Destiny LaToya Johnson
1995 - 2024
DestinyDes
Color
🤍jasmine
hummingbirdhummingbird
🌱
Origins
The beginning of a beautiful journey
Birthplace
Baltimore, Maryland
Heritage
African American
Parents
Mother struggled with addiction (lost custody)
Father incarcerated (never met)
Early Life
Destiny grew up in Baltimore's foster care system, cycling through 12 homes. She aged out at 18 with no family, no money, no support. She was homeless, got in trouble, spent 6 months in jail. A social worker named Ms. Jackson saw potential and gave her a chance. Destiny never forgot.
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Journey
A life of learning and achievement
Education
GED, Associate's in Social Work from Baltimore Community College (2018), continuing education.
Career
After transforming her own life, Destiny founded Second Chance Youth (2017)—a comprehensive program providing housing, education, job training, therapy, and mentorship to foster youth and formerly incarcerated young people. Her program served 2,000+ youth with 85% success rate (housed, employed, or in school). She became a national voice for foster care and juvenile justice reform.
Life Achievements
Founded Second Chance Youth (age 22)
Served 2,000+ at-risk youth
85% program success rate
Advocated for foster care reform nationally
TED Talk viewed 3M times
CNN Hero (2023)
❤️
Heart
Bonds of love and friendship
Life Partner
Marcus Williams (Partner - Youth counselor)
Children
None - but called godmother by 50+ youth she mentored
Siblings
3 siblings (different foster homes, lost contact)
Closest Friends
Ms. Jackson (Social worker who believed in her)
Youth she mentored
Mentors
Ms. Denise Jackson (social worker)
Bryan Stevenson (inspiration)
Communities
Second Chance Youth
Baltimore Youth Justice Coalition
National Foster Youth Action Network
🎨
Passions
What brought joy and meaning
Passions
Youth advocacy
Foster care reform
Criminal justice reform
Hip-hop music
Basketball
Mentoring
Favorite Music
Tupac
Lauren Hill
Kendrick Lamar
J. Cole
Favorite Books
The Hate U Give
Just Mercy
Pushout
🌟
Legacy
Wisdom and lessons that endure
Core Values
Every kid deserves a chance
Your past doesn't define your future
Love heals trauma
Representation matters
Lessons Taught
Kids need adults who don't give up
System must change
Love + structure = transformation
Memorable Quotes
I was 'those kids' everyone gives up on. Now I'm the person I needed when I was 18.
Your zip code shouldn't determine your destiny.
Every kid acting out is really crying for help. Listen.
✨
Essence
The spirit that remains
🦋
Spirit Animal
hummingbird
🌸
Associated Flower
jasmine
🎨
Associated Color
black
Personal Mantra
I made it. You can too.
Favorite Quote
I was 'those kids' everyone gives up on.
Messages to Future Generations
They'll try to label you. System kid. Troubled. At-risk. Don't accept their labels. You are not your circumstances. You are not your trauma. You are possibility. Find one person who believes in you and hold onto them. Then become that person for someone else.
Connected Songs
Changes - Tupac
Alright - Kendrick Lamar
♾️
Eternal
Forever in our hearts
🎥
Video Memories
Moving moments captured
🎗️
Tributes
Heartfelt tributes from family and friends
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