Giving Back: Building Wealth

Owning a home remains a dream for millions of Americans, even though home prices in some areas are still out of reach for many. However, a former Monroe native is working to change that. Derrick Johnson, who now resides in Dallas, once lived in the same neighborhood as the Powell Community Center in District 3, and he's putting his money where his mouth is. Johnson has been investing in the Monroe area and aims to build affordable homes, as seen with the recent Magnolia Johnson Estates groundbreaking ceremony. Monroe City Councilwoman Juanita Woods, who represents District 3, expressed her excitement for Johnson's efforts, stating, "It creates wealth for a homeowner in the community." Woods added, "When a person becomes a homeowner, that creates wealth. We are excited about the possibilities and everything that comes with this." Johnson, now embarking on his third house project in the area, hopes his efforts will create jobs and boost the local housing market. He emphasized, "Sometimes we need to invest in the community and build something new for ourselves." If all goes well, affordable homes will be available for purchase in the next 6-8 months.