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Loving Mr. Lamont

by Alexandra Antoniono
Lamont Johnson sat with his granddaughter, Armanii, during the after-school program he watches every weekday. Armanii is bused to the program from elementary school alongside dozens of other students. She loves spending time with her grandfather, and often moves back and forth between hanging out with her friends and running over to him.

Fueled by the past and providing for the future, Lamont Johnson is a man who is passionate about many things.

“What you see is what you get,” he said. “I’m very loyal to my family and I care about the future and the community.”

Lamont has lived in Maysville since the day he was born. The youngest of three children and the only boy, he grew up in a small apartment overseen by the local housing authority. At 18, his dad passed away and Lamont stepped up to take care of his two older sisters and their mother. He later went to college on a scholarship, and while he wasn’t able to maintain it, he returned to his hometown determined to succeed.

In his early 20s, he met Roger Barnett, who became a friend and mentor, helping him to secure his first job at the Tom Browning Boys & Girls Club in Maysville, and advising him on the purchase of his first house.

Roger considers Lamont to be a pillar of the community and one of his best success stories. “Lamont Johnson was one of the first people I hired for the job,” said Roger. “I think, truthfully, if I hadn’t hired him, I’m not sure where he’d be right now.” 

Marriage soon followed for Lamont, and he became the father of five children. Lamont and his first wife eventually divorced, and he later married his current wife, Amber, becoming stepfather to her two kids. The couple and all of their children became a close knit family, which helped them later when supporting Amber through successful breast cancer treatment.

By 2024, Lamont was ready to reduce his job load after many years of giving back to the community in his various roles. He resigned from his job as program director at the Boys & Girls Club and took a job at the Limestone Family YMCA to help expand its child-care program.

“He’s not scared to take chances, and he’s not scared to put himself out there,” said Limestone YMCA Executive Director Tonya Wenz, who sought out Lamont and hired him as facility manager.

In his early years, Lamont managed to overcome challenges that could have affected his life negatively and wants to help other young people do the same.

“My agenda is to make sure no child sees things I’ve seen or the things that I know me and my friends have experienced, and make sure that they see someone of their color doing a job that they may think they can’t do,” he said.

Lamont said his passion for caring for others comes from the values instilled in him by his family while growing up, and those are the values he teaches his own children. The man who’s spent so much time dedicated to others doesn’t have a definite plan for the future except to continue doing what he loves most, in whatever form that may take.

Lamont Johnson handed out snack bags to the students in his after-school program. The Limestone Family YMCA packs the bags with a variety of foods for the kids to have when they arrive at the building. Lots of the students come to Lamont for help opening their food, and he happily does so, with some jokes along the way.
Lamont Johnson walked kids down the hall during an after-school program. The Limestone Family YMCA, where Lamont works, leased out the building so it could expand its overflowing child care programs. Lamont and others are working hard to renovate the former middle school building and expand further.
Lamont Johnson’s granddaughter, Delilah, looked up at him during the YMCA after-school program. His daughters, who work there, and his grandkids often visit. He holds everyone in his family very close to his heart, so visits from anyone at anytime are special moments.
Lamont Johnson starts his day as the YMCA facilities manager at his desk and ends his day in the same spot. His has a routine to make sure that his calendar is up to date, and all emails are answered. Lamont takes phone calls and makes sure everything in the school is being accomplished.
Lamont Johnson received a hot towel treatment from Adrian Echeveste at the East Side Chop Shop. The two are good friends, and when Lamont complimented Adrian’s Dr. Martens shoes, Adrian made fun of him for knowing what they were. Between his busy days and time spent helping others, Lamont’s barber shop appointments become time spent on himself.
Amber and Lamont Johnson sat with their dog, Aspen, while doing laundry and watching television in the morning. The two got ready to meet the rest of their family for the Elevation Worship tour in Louisville.
Lamont Johnson crouched down with his grandchildren during a Trunk or Treat community Halloween event. His grandchildren dressed for the occasion and received candy from dozens of local booths and vendors.
Lamont Johnson played with his granddaughter, Armanii, during the after-school program he’s in charge of. The two like to poke fun at each other while spending time together in the classroom. Lamont said he and Armanii have a very special relationship, and that she always goes to cuddle with him whenever the family is together.
Lamont and Amber Johnson prayed before having dinner at Chandler’s Bar. “When Amber and I got together, we had a long talk,” Lamont said. “We talked about things we didn’t have in our first year, and church was one of the things.” They made church a weekly habit moving forward after Lamont lost sight of it when he was younger. Despite that, he said he never stopped believing.