Unscripted: Interview

Written By Myles Johnson

About Myles Johnson

Myles Johnson grew up in South Lansing, attended Sexton High School and Dwight Rich school before going to Bowling Green State University. He returned to Lansing in 2021 specifically to serve his community. Johnson won his election with over 75% of the vote, crediting his southside roots for the overwhelming support.

As a leader with Mansion of Dreams, a youth entrepreneurship program, Johnson is committed to creating opportunities for young people in his district. He's also expanded his reach through his recent TEDx talk where he shared his vision for community development.

Community Development Highlights

Johnson excitedly shared details about ongoing projects in South Lansing, including a $2-3 million development that will bring much-needed resources to the area. "They're gonna put a bank on the corner. They have condos going over there. They have a health system, so possibly McLaren might be going right there," Johnson explained during the interview. This development is particularly significant since, as he pointed out, "We don't have a single financial institution in my whole district."

Killer Quotes

"I would go to the county website...go to the committees...Every county, to some form or fashion, should have various boards and committees. And you could go to those, they're all public meetings. So you can go to these public meetings and hear behind the scenes information about what they're doing at the county level."

"I don't truly believe that there are other people that aspire to be a politician. I think there are people who aspire to make a difference in a position of power. It's a difference."

"A lot of people like, let's say a college kid, he majors in political science... it's like, I feel you, but like slow down because if you understand local politics way more and better, it is easier to transfer to higher levels because it's pretty much all the same."

"I would say start. That's my biggest word of advice. If you see me and you're like, man, I wonder how he do it...it's just like, I just started with a lot of stuff and it ended up going out very well for me."

Key Takeaways

  • Johnson's top priorities are youth empowerment and economic development, with a focus on providing opportunities for young people in South Lansing.

  • Johnson is working to decrease crime and increase youth development in South Lansing, drawing from his own experiences.

  • The economic development projects in South Lansing include new housing, healthcare facilities, and a financial institution – addressing critical gaps in local infrastructure.

  • Johnson recently spearheaded an initiative that secured $250,000 from the county to participate in a program with RIP Medical Debt to help eliminate medical debt for qualifying residents.

  • Johnson plans to launch a "food tour" in May to highlight local restaurants and drive economic development in the area, using his social media platform to promote South Lansing businesses.

  • Anyone interested in making a difference in their community should start by attending local committee meetings and getting involved in county-level initiatives.

  • Johnson can be followed on Instagram at 517Myles and Facebook for updates on his work and the upcoming food tour.

Johnson embodies his own advice about "just starting" – beginning with his local community to make tangible changes. His approach to politics focuses on practical solutions to community needs and actively engaging with constituents, especially youth, to understand their priorities and concerns.

Role in the Lansing Ecosystem

Zaneta: "What role do you play in the Lansing ecosystem? What are you working on? Who is Miles? Tell us a little bit more about yourself."

Myles: "I'm actually an elected official here in Ingham County. So, I mean, you went to Michigan State, so you know Ingham County is like obviously the county that overrules or, know, oversees all the cities and smaller cities... I represent South Lansing. I sit on the board of 15 other individuals. I'm actually in my second term right now, and I also am an educator."

Exciting Developments in South Lansing

Zaneta: "What are some things that are emerging in South Lansing that you are really excited about?"

Myles speaks enthusiastically about an upcoming commercial real estate project: "We actually have a project down the street. It's gonna be apartments, condos... They're gonna put a bank on the corner, because we don't have a single financial institution in my whole district. So they're gonna put a bank on the corner.

He describes it as a "two to $3 million project" that he's "super excited about" for South Lansing.

South Lansing Landmarks

Zaneta: "What's in South Lansing? What are the landmarks?"

Myles: "You got Logan Square, you got the Compton Kroger, as they love to call it. Cedar is South Lansing, Southeast really, but I'm more so Southwest. Yeah, Waverly Apartments."

This leads to a brief moment of connection as Zaneta recalls Waverly Apartments being known among Michigan State students as affordable housing.

Myles Johnson