13-04-2025
KC teens get prom-send off from community after mother is killed
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City community came together Saturday to show support for two teens who recently lost their mother.
A special prom send-off was held for Roger and Zymire Johnson. Their mother, Janette Johnson, was murdered on April 4.
'Several businesses came together and pulled this off within a matter of days, and just to see a smile on the kids' faces is more important to me than anything else,' said Keisha Henson Shaw, the owner of CreativeKei event rentals.
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Donations poured in from local barbers, florists, clothing stores, photographers, and others, providing Zymire and Roger with everything they would need for prom.
From custom suits to transportation, and special boutonnieres with a picture of their mother, Janette Johnson.
'Shelle and her team ensured that everything was very specific and intentional. It was a dream come true, and I'm just so happy that the boys were able to get what they wanted,' said Kendric Carlock, the brothers' school counselor.
The send-off was organized by the non-profit Show Me You Care KC. Shelle West founded the non-profit. Show Me You Care KC works to ensure that every individual has the resources, opportunities, and support they deserve through innovative programs, heartfelt initiatives, and collaborative partnerships.
'A post was made on Facebook, and, so I reached out to someone who I already knew and I asked them what support they needed, and It was just being able to be a backbone for children who just lost their mother,' West said
'We want to be able to make sure we're the village and we can be a support for these children.'
Carlock helped with the event and says the outpouring of support from the community was overwhelming.
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'Kansas City has a network. A network of Black businesses came together to put together a moment for these kids to never forget. From artists to vendors to props, decor, suits, photographers, everything was to the tee,' Carlock said.
Carlock said it's also a testament to the Kansas City community and how people support each other through difficult times.
'Kansas City is the place where we're building community. People from all different places can come together. So it's a dream come true, and I'm glad that today shows that that is possible,' Carlock said.
Carlock shared that Roger is a junior in high school and Zymire is a senior headed to play college football in the fall.
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