Showing Up to Be the Person You Needed When You were Younger

Patricia Johnson-Harris, a Parkville, Maryland resident, migrated from the Bronx, New York on a mission to build a better life for her two boys 28 years ago. The single mother aspired to give them a better childhood experience than her own. She accomplished this goal and plenty more.

Growing up, Johnson-Harris’ life as a young person was dissimilar and speckled with parental loss.

“My dad passed away when I was eight. Then, my mom passed away when I was 12,” she said. “That’s the time when children normally bond with their parents.”

The youngest of seven children recalls not having after-school activities or programs to turn to even when her mother was alive. Her hardworking parent did the best she could managing limited resources and time. Following her mother’s death, Johnson-Harris recalls showing up to school just sitting in class. She bounced around between sisters who helped to rear her. A caring teacher helped a grieving little girl through a difficult season.

Johnson-Harris evolved into the kind of community leader and person she could have been mentored by outside of school when she was younger. She cheerfully spends considerable effort pouring into young people, despite still working a full-time job and supporting her husband with his entertainment company, Charm City Jazz.

Johnson-Harris started a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in 2012 called Youth Writer’s Challenge. It is held annually at venues such as Mondawmin Mall and Security Square Mall.

“It came about because I was hosting the annual African American Authors and Empowerment Expo, which was a platform for local authors to display their books. When I found that more and more children were coming to the Expo, I wanted to create a platform for them as well. Youth Writer’s Challenge is an avenue to give students the opportunity to express their thoughts, ideas and showcase their talents.”

They are challenged to showcase their gifts such as poetry or music in a non-competitive environment.

Additionally, Youth Writer’s Rock is a Baltimore-based program under the Youth Writer’s Challenge that blossomed when Johnson-Harris had a light bulb moment. She thought it would be great to add a writing program.

“Youth Writer’s Rock is a six-month writing program that also gives students the opportunity to creatively express their thoughts and ideas on paper. We take those thoughts and ideas, put them up together on a wall, then help them turn it into a book.”

To date, five books have been published through the nonprofit. More are in progress.

Johnson-Harris added that “Mixed Paths,” a 17-chapter book, will be available for sale at the end of March. The book will also be adapted into a stage play.

“Not only will the authors be published authors, but they’re also going to be playwrights,” she said.

Participating authors ages 12-16 wrote the book that explores challenges in character’s lives.

Johnson-Harris is currently looking around for venues where the play can be held. Throughout the duration of the Saturday program, parents have not had to pay for a child’s participation. Donors and sponsors help cover program costs that include graduation, awards, book printing and publishing.

“It’s always worked out that we have enough money before the end of the program in May,” Johnson-Harris said, adding that the program starts each January. “I move in faith until a grant comes that’s going to cover us for a couple of years.”

 A fundraiser was recently held with the Gordon Center for Performing Arts. A sold-out concert allowed community youth to benefit from support.

Johnson-Harris tirelessly contributes to equity issues linked to literacy, writing and building youth confidence.

“Students show up on time on a Saturday when normally kids are sleeping in late or watching TV,” she said.

Boys and girls learn to tap into their creativity; project their voices while speaking; build social skills; utilize vocabulary; work as “buddies;” and nurture people skills. Published books have become a conversation guide for real life discussions such as bullying and outreach activities.

“I know that the program is impactful because I’m getting phone calls and emails from the parents thanking me that their children are doing so much better in school.”

These days, Youth Writer’s Rock has been meeting at a YWCA in Towson.

“I would like for us to have a home location,” Johnson-Harris said, looking towards the future. 

Johnson-Harris uses volunteers to serve students. She welcomes additional helping hands ranging from retired teachers and skilled writers to people who can assist with social media. 

“This is not about me. It’s bigger than me,” Johnson-Harris said.

Registration for the next group of youth writers will open in July for 2025’s cohort. Visit www.youthwriterschallenge.org to learn more about the books and programs.