Aaron “AJ” Johnson is founder and CEO of Oasis Fresh Markets, the first full-service grocery store in North Tulsa's historically Black neighborhood (once called “Black Wall Street”) in 14 years. Growing up in Milwaukee, Johnson saw tremendous differences between resourced and under-resourced communities. After moving to Oklahoma, he learned that North Tulsa residents have a life expectancy eleven years shorter than residents of other Tulsa communities. Many North Tulsa residents must travel miles for resources that non-distressed communities have readily available. Johnson launched The Oasis Projects to provide services including rental and utility assistance, support for single parents, banking, workforce training, and health-related educational classes. Johnson believes the Oasis model provides a blueprint for under-served communities by equipping people for every aspect of a healthy life.
