Brandon Bataka-Johnson is an autistic student, writer, and activist.
Ignited by the lasting tribulations of his incomplete sense of belonging, everchanging sense of self, and the seemingly inaudible cries of those with peripheral narratives and veiled identities, Brandon seeks to advocate for human rights by sharing stories from his personal experiences, employing evidence-based practices, and by shedding light on the underlying moral principles during times of conflict to foster reconciliation.
He became significantly involved with the ACLU People Power movement in the autumn of 2023. He phone banked alongside Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights in an initiative that secured abortion access on the state constitution of Ohio, protested with LGBTQ+ rights activists where they demanded legislators protect and expand people’s access to gender affirming healthcare, and actively raises the political consciousness of those in his community through discussions and by recruiting them into mass messaging efforts.
He is a first-generation college graduate, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Virginia in May of 2022. A former paralegal and case manager of a boutique law firm, he presently serves on the Commission on Individuals with Disabilities as part of the Charles County Government. In due course, he will attend law school to further expand his avenues of advocacy while honing his reasoning skills.
In his dwindling leisure time, he enjoys journaling, using YouTube as a learning device, as well as bonding with his elder brother, younger brother, nephew, and cousins.