“Kendra has the vision to create a strong Arkansas community by working with various local leaders across the state,” said Project One America director Brad Clark. “She has the experience to bring LGBT Arkansans the respect and dignity they deserve.”

Johnson received an undergraduate degree from Spelman College and a graduate degree from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. Her capstone project at UALR was titled, “HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs in Arkansas: A Needs Assessment.” She most recently worked at Better Community Development as Lead In-Person Assister.  Johnson has worked with Southerners on New Ground (SONG) and also served as the interim Executive Director of the Women’s Project in Little Rock.

 “As a mother and an Arkansan, I know our state is a great place to live, work and raise a family,” said Johnson. “By working together, I am sure Arkansas can become a place where all people have equal opportunities and respect of the law.”

According to a recent survey commissioned by HRC, LGBT Arkansans are participating members of their respective communities. In fact-- 60 percent of respondents have called Arkansas home for more than 20 years. However, the survey also revealed LGBT people face daunting amounts of harassment. For instance, almost half have experienced harassment at school; a quarter have experienced employment discrimination; and 18 percent have experienced harassment monthly or more at their respective houses of worship. To address these disparities, HRC launched Project One America earlier this year to improve the lived experience of LGBT people.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. HRC’s Project One America--an unprecedented effort to dramatically expand LGBT equality in the South through permanent campaigns in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas—is generously supported by the HRC Foundation.

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