Building Hope: Mental Health Center in OJ's Honor

Help Us Honor OJ Johnson & Build a Community Center for Richmond!

Hi, my name is N’dea Johnson, and I am the founder of the Yellow Heart Committee (YHC), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting trauma survivors, mental health advocacy, and underserved communities. Today, I am asking for your help in making my father’s dream a reality—and in doing so, creating something truly meaningful for the Richmond community.

My Story: Turning Pain into Purpose

In 2019, I founded YHC after my own life was turned upside down. I was sexually assaulted, and in the months that followed, I experienced Conversion Disorder, a condition where psychological trauma manifests physically. One day, after an unrelated surgery, I woke up unable to walk. The stress of my trauma had literally and figuratively paralyzed me.

As I navigated hospitals, rehab centers, and legal battles, I realized how broken the system was for survivors like me. The resources that were supposed to help often felt inaccessible or nonexistent. Instead of giving up, I decided to fight—not just for myself but for others who had also fallen through the cracks. On April 3, 2019, I shared my story publicly, and Yellow Heart Committee was born.

What We’ve Accomplished

With an incredible team and community support, YHC grew from a small student group into a national network of advocates. In just a few years, we:

Hosted 20+ resource fairs, serving at-risk youth, low-income families, and the unhoused.

Organized mental health and healing workshops for survivors.

Partnered with national organizations like the Family Justice Center, TimesUp, and the Harvard COVID-19 Taskforce.

Met with 44+ elected officials to push for legislative change for trauma survivors.

Launched mentorship programs and provided direct resources to hundreds of families.

But running a nonprofit takes its toll. In 2023, I made the difficult decision to pause YHC to focus on my own mental health and regroup. What I didn’t expect was that my dad would be the one to inspire me to bring it back.

Why We’re Fundraising: OJ’s Dream

In 2024, my father, Orlando "OJ" Johnson, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and given 0-6 months to live. He is my hero, my greatest supporter, and the person who never stopped believing in me—even when I couldn’t walk, even when I was at my lowest.

A former RPD Detective, coach, and mentor, my dad dedicated his life to uplifting young athletes and keeping kids off the streets through basketball. His dream was to one day open a gym and coach an AAU team for low-income kids in Richmond. Now, with the time he has left, I want him to see that dream come to life.

On March 29-30, 2025, we are hosting the HEART Classic Basketball Tournament as the first step toward building a mental health-focused community center in Richmond. This center will combine his passion for sports with my passion for mental health—offering mindful sports camps, trauma-informed resources, and a safe space for underserved youth and families.

How You Can Help

Our goal is to raise $200,000 to launch the HEART Community Center and honor my dad’s legacy. Your donation will go toward:

✅ Hosting the HEART Classic Tournament to kickstart funding.

✅ Securing a space for the future community center in Richmond.

✅ Providing mental health & trauma resources for at-risk youth.

✅ Creating mentorship & leadership programs through sports.

This isn’t just about my dad—it’s about building something lasting for the community he has poured his life into.

A Final Ask

This fundraiser is a surprise for my dad—a chance for us to show him how much he is loved and to give him his flowers while he’s here. Please consider donating, sharing, or getting involved in any way you can.

From the bottom of my heart—thank you. Your support means everything.

Donate & Share Today!

With gratitude,

N’dea Johnson

Founder, Yellow Heart Committee