KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) – A Missouri community turned heartbreak into hope as they held a prom send-off to remember for two grieving brothers who recently lost their mother to gun violence.
Janette Johnson, 34, was found murdered in the street the morning of April 4 in Kansas City, Missouri. Her death shook the neighborhood and left two of her sons – Zymire Johnson, a high school senior, and Roger Haney, a high school junior – without their beloved mother just days before prom.
But what began as heartbreak turned into hope as the community came together to wrap the grieving brothers in love, light and support, KCTV reports.
Zymire and Roger were given a red carpet prom experience worthy of kings through the efforts of the nonprofit Show Me You Care KC. The celebration unfolded Saturday at the World War I Museum and Memorial, where neighbors, school leaders and business owners gathered to honor the brothers and stand in solidarity.
“They’re going to prom without their mom being able to be here,” said Kansas City musician Joseph Isaac. “So, just me being able to be here for them to show my support.”
The brothers arrived dressed to impress in tuxedos proved by a local business. Zymire wore a sharp brown coat and black bow tie.
“He’s [Zymire] headed off to college, gonna go play some football. That’s what he’s been working on all of his life,” said Kendrick Carlock, the brothers’ high school counselor.
Meanwhile, Roger wore a striking green blazer with brown dress shoes.
“He’s [Roger] got someone great to look up to. He’s got a big brother that he can see that ‘Hey, this is possible.’ And he’s right up next,” Carlock said.
Perhaps the most beautiful detail of the evening was that their mother was symbolically right there with both her sons. Her picture was attached to the boutonnieres they wore.
“We had a designer that was able to design the boutonnieres for our guys,” Carlock said. “We wanted to make sure that their mother was able to go with them off to prom. They’re looking sharp, she’s looking sharp and they’re both heading off to prom.”
Zymire and Roger were joined by their younger brothers for family photos. The photographers, including Chelle Harvey of Chelle Shots Photography, captured not just style but spirit.
“I seen confidence, resilience, ambition,” Harvey said. “I see nothing but positive vibes and positive outcome for the boys.”
The evening was a reminder to the entire family that though their world has changed forever, they are not alone. It was not only a celebration but a healing moment, wrapped in community care, showing what’s possible when a city supports its youth.
“We want to be able to make sure we’re the village and we can be a support for these children,” said Shelle West of Show Me You Care KC. “We have to learn to love each other. We have to show up for each other. We have to bring back villages.”
Police continue to investigate Janette Johnson’s death. She was shot after an altercation with an unknown suspect near the 6300 block of East 102nd Terrace. Anyone with information is urged to call the police department at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the victim’s four children, ages 9 to 18, as they face life without the “strong foundation” their mother provided, according to the webpage.
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