Cardinal Residential Leader beleaguered in Familiar Catch-22

Allen Parkway Village Resident Council Leader, Lenwood Johnson

By Perata Bradley

July 12, 2017

Houston, TX–July 31, 2017 will be the final day of occupancy for Freedman’s Town and APV ( Allen Parkway Village) own chief protector, who finds himself faced in a re-emerging dilemma he dedicated forty plus years to. After over a decade of renting from property owner Tran Thuong at resident 1111 Genesee st, Lenwood Johnson is being forced to move due to repair reasons listed in a Terminate Right of Occupancy notice. And just like that Lenwood Johnson, in a compliant and submissive state at the tender age of 74 is prepared to leave; without a fight and no other place to go.

Johnson is no stranger to local news. In fact, when you google Lenwood Johnson, you will find many newsworthy articles highlighting his ongoing battle with federal, state, and local officials and authorities and a select few photos of a kind- spirited, photogenic Johnson displaying his passion for activism. Serving on the front-line fighting tooth and nail as a preservationist versus developer, resident versus government; being present and accounted for at City Hall meetings, regional hearings, and vocal about all relevant legislation for half of his life.

Fast forward to July 2017, and those that knew Johnson well, would be surprised to discover the scars and pitfalls of community activism that has left him forgotten, derailed, health failing and possibly homeless come August 1, 2017.  Forced out due to compliance and submissiveness, Yeah, something has definitely knocked the fight out of Johnson and one by one, if nothing is done effectively and orderly the remaining residents of Freedman’s Town will eventually face the same fate.

Mayor Sylvester Turner was quoted for saying that, “we should be working to make every neighborhood a neighborhood of opportunity.” For many past and current remaining Freedman’s Town residents they often wonder when the city will once more invest in the forgotten and remaining infrastuctures and standing residents in the area.

If you would like more information on this situation or the complete story for publication or as a feature please kindly respond back by email or telephone. My goal is to be able to provide a solution for Lenwood Johnson by getting this story out. Thanks in advance. 

For more articles on Lenwood Johnson visit the links below:

Interview #1  with Lenwood Johnson dated December 2012

Lenwood leads fight for APV in the 90’s

Organized Lesson lead by Johnson

Saving homes in  Freedman’s Town

 

Update : Breaking News

Multiple sources have like publications and government officials have responded to Lenwood story.  I would like to thank the Houston Defender and contributing writer for the Defender for her prompt reply, response, and dedication to this matter and for covering this story and allowing it to get the necessary attention that it rightly deserves. I would also like to express warm gratitude to Congressman Garnett F Coleman assistant and staff and sincere thanks to Ms Angie Gomez for providing the correct fax number and making it a call of duty to have Lenwood story delivered to Congressman Coleman, i would not have received a timely reply if it wasn’t for you. Thanks to the moon and back!  Seeing is believing…

 

Houston Defender email reply

1st publisher to spotlight eyes of 4th ward media team project

Aswers to Questions for Houston Defender

Forward Times replies

verification email sent to Jackson_Lee

 

 

 

I was told by Coleman’s assistant that they would be working diligently to find Lenwood and also Terri his next door neighbor, who is also being asked to moved another dwelling in the neighborhood as well as a means and plan to supplement the increase in rent that neither party is able to pay.  If you read that line correctly i said Lenwood and Terri. Yes its two longtime residents being misplaced. And this is not Terri’s first time being forced to move. Back in December of 2009, and longtime wife, Pat; got pushed out of their rent house located at 1206 Victor St. a little before Christmas due to eminent domain reasons associated with the African American Library at old Gregory. To make matters worst, those same homes at Victor st mentioned have been re sold, and throughout the years just sat there in litigation on what could possible be done other than letting a deserving family move back in who is appreciative of the lower than average rental lease. Sounds like a victory in the works to me. Every since 2010 Terri has been on the move since bouncing back in forth to available cheap rentals located in the 3rd ward area and at last back home in the 4th ward area where as he says cost $300 in rent but he gives $350 out of gratitude. To make matters even worst he was rushed to the hospital a week ago due to health reasons not specified. I bare witness to the scene.  So when Congressman Coleman called to informed me that they planned to move swiftly based off the faxed information I also informed him of Terri and told him of available rental property located in the neighborhood and hopefully everything goes smoothly and accordingly.

 

 

Robin/Gillette property

1600 Robin st

 

Here’s What the People Are Saying…

 

@4thward_blacq from instagram– “its a blessing to see someone who actually cares. I didn’t know any of this was even happening! Keep doing your good work it will pay off. And you so right our lil hood going down and nobody really cares anymore.

Text message user 7/17/2017— ” I knew you would figure out how you wanted to start writing cause you always talk about the book but to see this really make me proud of you sweetheart, just keep it up; you can do what you want! Awe hell world lookout for The Peacock!!!”

@hiramclarke_taz  from instagram— “damn u are a really good writer. Political writing for somebody else is screaming your name loudly.”

 

“Operation Lenwood”

 

 

Volunteers are needed.. Cleaning, laundry, and disposal services are needed  ASAP.