After growing up in Southeast Fort Wayne, Brandon Johnson knows firsthand the challenges his community faces. That’s in part why taking up the cause of advancing economic opportunity is a meaningful personal initiative. He wants to open doors that weren’t accessible to him and his peers growing up.
“I wanted to.. attack maybe three things with one stone: education, (affordable) housing and employment,” he says.
He’s doing that through his two entities,
B. Johnson & Sons and
Johnson Home Team, by combining construction, education, employment, and property development in hopes of building futures.
These three pillars form the foundation of what Johnson, a carpenter by trade, has created in Fort Wayne. While the initial idea wasn’t solely about affordable housing, Johnson says it was part of the evolution of his work. He sought a means to provide not just shelter but also jobs and skills training.
His approach is as creative as it is practical. The unique on-the-job apprenticeship model he’s developed enables participants to work on construction projects while learning the skills they need to acquire relevant certifications, qualifications and stable careers.
![]()
This on-the-job apprenticeship model allows participants to work on construction projects while learning skills.This multi-faceted approach ensures that individuals earn an income and gain the credentials they need to stand out in industries like carpentry and construction.
To advance that work, the Johnson Home Team purchases vacant lots in areas like the 46806 zip code as future sites for new home construction. His crew then builds the homes on the lots.
”We could sell homes, pay the team building them, and teach guys the skills they’d need along the way,” he explains.
At the core of the initiative is the apprenticeship program, which equips participants with the skills and credentials they need to succeed in the construction industry. His team is trained by experienced craftsmen, including Johnson himself, who has an extensive background in the local carpenters' union.
“We’re working toward getting accredited through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), so we can provide certifications independent of the union,” Johnson explains.
This flexibility ensures that graduates of the program have pathways to both union and non-union employment.
Johnson is adamant about prioritizing impact over profit. Success would mean scaling up — building up to a dozen homes a year. But more than that, it’s about creating a pipeline where participants graduate with certifications and a stable, 40-hour-a-week job, he shares.
![]()
Johnson's on-the-job apprenticeship model teaches participants the skills needed to secure jobs in carpentry and other trades.While there’s often discussion about a “shortage of talent” in the trades, Johnson sees the situation differently. In his observation, “I don’t think there’s a shortage of talent. I think it’s a shortage of educational opportunities. A lot of guys want to learn, but they need an environment where they feel supported.”
B. Johnson & Sons provides that avenue. Whether through education, mentorship, or simply creating a place where workers feel valued, the program is as much about building people up as it is about building homes.
![]()
The interior of a home under construction by Johnson and his team.Johnson adds that he’s found a niche designed to address one of today’s biggest challenges in real estate: affordability. Each house built by his team is thoughtfully crafted to provide families with quality living spaces while keeping costs manageable. For example, all homes are priced under $250,000 to cater to the affordable housing market.
According to a January 2024 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report, in 2023, the average home sales price rose 10% to $250,000.
Beyond the workforce development angle, Johnson has set his sights on contributing to larger-scale projects by way of minority contracts with city governments. Securing one would help him get to the next level in his business.
While he’s working to realize these goals, he also acknowledges the help he’s received along the way. Support from initiatives like
SEED’s BUILD Fort Wayne program have equipped Johnson with the skills and contacts he needs to grow his vision. Similarly, he received financial help from Brightpoint. The agency received funding from the total
$2.5 million Legacy Fund allocated by the Fort Wayne City Council to create a revolving loan fund to support local entrepreneurs. This spring, Johnson received $78,000 from Brightpoint in the form of a low-interest small business loan.
Though he’s grateful for the help from these entrepreneur support organizations, Johnson is quick to address the bootstrap nature of his work. It isn’t backed directly by large grants or investor capital.
“We haven’t received a grant for our lots; we’re buying them ourselves, out of pocket,” Johnson shares.
![]()
Brandon Johnson receiving a small business loan from Brightpoint, via the Legacy Fund. Johnson approaches his ventures as more than a means to make a profit. He considers it a vehicle for transformation in his community and an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
“Affordable housing, to me, is a means to an end,” he says. “The real goal is giving people opportunities to build a better future.”
This story is made possible by Brightpoint.