Meet Commissioner Johnson

After serving 14 years representing Ward 7 on the Oklahoma City Council, Willa Johnson was elected Oklahoma County Commissioner. She represents District 1 which stretches from far Northeastern Oklahoma County to just West of Downtown Oklahoma City. It includes all or part of the communities of Dely City, Lake Aluma, Oklahoma City, Forrest Park, Jones, Luther, Midwest City and Spencer.

In addition to being responsible for roads and bridges, Commissioners serve as the Body Politic for the county, meaning they are the governing board for many county functions. Further, Commissioners serve on the County Budget Board. The Assessor, Clerk, Court Clerk, Sheriff and Treasurer also serve on the County Budget Board.

Commissioner Johnson has accomplished a lot during her nearly two decades of public service. She was the first African American woman elected to the Oklahoma City Council where she focused on economic development and improving the quality of life. She founded First Tee of Metropolitan Oklahoma City. Perhaps Willa’s biggest recognition of honor came as a result of the History Center placing her portrait among other African Americans of stature in its museum. For a more exhaustive list of current and past positions, click on the link on this page.

Willa‘s commitment to commemorating African Americans in the history of our community led to her renaming five streets, providing historical plaques in the Deep Deuce area and placing Edwards Addition on the National Register of Historic Places. This is the only African American area in the City so designated.

Commissioner Johnson is a member of St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church and has 2 children, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Other Current and Past Positions:

Chair - Association of Central Oklahoma Government (ACOG) Board
Chairman/Vice Chair of the Board of County Commissioners
Oklahoma State Fair Board of Directors
Vice-Chair and Chairperson of the NLC Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee
Charter member of the Central Oklahoma Top Ladies of Distinction
Oklahoma Women’s Coalition
International Professional Business Women
Friends of Ralph Ellison Library and Allied Arts
Trustee of the OKC Zoo Trust
Oklahoma City’s Finance, Economic Development, and Capital Improvement Committees
Chair of the Neighborhood Conservation Committee
Active role with Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) for kids
Oklahoma Riverfront Redevelopment Authority
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Oklahoma Science Museum Development Committee
Rebuilding Together Program Committee
Oklahoma Health Foundation
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Achievers
Member, Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
Member, Oklahoma Municipal League (OML)
Member, National League of Cities (NLC)
Director of the NLC Board, the NLC Advisory Council and liaison to the CED Committee
Member of Rotary Club 29
Life Member of the Urban League