Singer/guitarist Steph Johnson is an award-winning, multi-dimensional recording artist whose music deftly blends jazz, soul, funk and blues. Her recording career has taken a back seat in recent years to social activism.
Steph co-founded and is now Executive Director and Music Director of the Voices of Our City Choir, whose members are experiencing homelessness. The choir is a nonprofit that provides community and case management and has helped find housing for 60 of its 250 members. Voices of Our City Choir is now feeding approximately 1,000 individuals a week, providing meals and phone charging stations.
Voices of Our City is an inspirational musical ensemble that has garnered plenty of headlines. The choir has been the focus of a documentary "The Homeless Chorus Speaks" that aired nationally on PBS stations. The group has performed with the San Diego Symphony, and opened a benefit concert at the historic Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on a bill that featured Jason Mraz and founding members of the Doors.
More recently Voices of Our City Choir performed on season 15 of America’s Got Talent, and was given the coveted Golden Buzzer by host Terry Crews. This catapulted them to the live shows where they became semifinalists on America's Got Talent Season 15.
Steph has been recognized as one of San Diego CityBeat’s People of the Year. She was also named 2020 Woman of the Year by San Diego Assembly member Todd Gloria. Californians for the Arts highlighted the impact Steph's work has by coining her a California Arts Champion.
We are thrilled to name her one of our Wish Warriors, and a portion of the proceeds of our Black Banded Agate Bracelet support the choir and their ongoing efforts to help the unhoused community in San Diego, CA.
