SNOHOMISH COUNTY—The Snohomish County Executive’s Office officially announced that Wil Johnson will be taking over the role of Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer on Tuesday, September 10, leading the county’s Office of Social Justice.
“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,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said in a statement released Tuesday. “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.”
Johnson brings with him a passion for building a more equitable and inclusive county, as well as 20 years of experience working in education and within his community. At his most recent role Johnson worked as Director of Equity and Inclusion for the Snohomish School District where he’s worked since 2021.
He studied at City University of Seattle and the University of Washington to earn his Certificate of Education Leadership and Master in Teaching. He’s also been a consultant on education, equity, and communication.
Johnson is a seven-year U.S. Army Veteran and nationally registered EMT. His military achievements include being named Solder of the Cycle and Soldier of the Month while serving in Alaska, as well as earning several Army Achievement medals and Army Commendation medals.
Though Johnson loved his work within the Snohomish School District, it quickly became evident that the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion is something school districts could not tackle on their own. He became more involved with his community, attending Chamber of Commerce meetings, meeting with community organizations, and forming connections with neighboring jurisdictions to learn more about how the issue of DEI was being addressed. Transitioning from these efforts to a county-wide program was a natural fit, he said.
“When I think about the larger conversation of DEI, and how it’s been represented, I really treasure the opportunity. I may not have been a government official but [as an educator] it’s how can I come in and educate and communicate what this work is, and also listening in order to move this work forward,” Johnson told the Lynnwood Times. “I’m honored and humbled to be in this position.”
Johnson was asked recently how he identifies himself. He replied: a father, son, and community servant first and foremost, whether that be serving our country as a medic in the U.S. Army, assisting neurodiverse students as Manager of Edmonds School District’s Special Education Programs, or as a Teacher and Behavior Interventionist in the Tukwilla school system.
“I’m just that guy that shows up and I help people get to where they want to be,” Johnson told the Lynnwood Times.
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers established the Office of Social Justice in 2020 to address a need for change and for a stronger commitment to ensuring Snohomish County government is welcoming of people from diverse backgrounds. The office seeks to increase equity and inclusion across its community, addressing ethnicity, race, gender, neurodivergence, and other aspects of identity.
Now, four years strong, the Office has an active grant program, a website, and several projects currently in the works. Johnson informed the Lynnwood Times his first steps as Officer will be to meet with his team, hold conversations, and gain an understanding of how things are going and where the Office is headed. His initial priorities will ultimately be to understand the culture and climate of the county, learn how service providers are supporting these community members, and connecting with people, whether they live in urban or rural areas.
“I am thankful for this opportunity to support and serve this community which I call home,” Johnson said. “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 believes there can often be a disconnect between government agencies and members of the community. Often there’s a stigma of having to dress your best or watch your words carefully while in the presence of a government official, he shared, but one of the benefits of meeting with community members and actively learning what their needs are is to convey the message that they can be whoever they authentically are. It starts with building those relationships, then it’s exploring which policies the county either currently has in place, or needs to have in place, in order to ensure community members’ concerns and needs are being met.
During Johnson’s four years living in Snohomish County, his biggest observation regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion is that there is plenty of work to be done but that it’s still a beautiful place full of caring people and opportunities. His biggest goal, as DEI Officer, is to put Snohomish County on the map where anyone and everyone can feel like they can live and enjoy life.
Johnson also hosts his own podcast called At-homish which focuses on creating spaces where people feel like they belong.
Originally from Atlanta, George, when Johnson moved to Mukilteo in 2021, his seemingly tireless engagement with community events around the county prompted someone to ask “I see you everywhere, you must be from here.” Johnson replied “I’m not from here, but it feels At-homish”—hence the title.
At-homish releases episodes monthly and is available wherever podcasts are found.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
One Response
I thought DEI had been debunked?