I’m Malacia McCants Johnson, the proud founder of the Greater Youth Foundation (GYF) and a devoted single mother of four amazing boys. Together, we’re building a legacy of giving back — creating opportunities for others just as others once created for us.
 

MY STORY

As a teen, I was blessed to have a mentor through a teen companion program who believed in me when I couldn’t see my own potential. That relationship opened my eyes to the idea that I was bigger than my environment and capable of achieving anything I set my heart on.
 

That experience planted the seed that would one day grow into GYF. I learned firsthand how one caring mentor, one opportunity, or even one conversation can completely shift the direction of a young person’s life.
 

WHY I STARTED GYF

As my own children grew, I made it a priority to connect them with mentors, educators, and community leaders who could help shape their character, career paths, and life skills — resources that weren’t always accessible within our family. Through those experiences, I saw how exposure and guidance can transform not just individuals, but entire families.
 

GYF was born from that truth — to build bridges for youth who need a safe space to grow, learn, and thrive, rather than becoming a product of their circumstances.