Baltimore Built Me—Now I’m Building What Comes Next
May 19, 2026
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Introducing Myleana Beads Johnson, the new City Director of PeacePlayers Baltimore. Myleana brings a lifelong connection to the city and a career rooted in public service, community engagement, and youth development. From supporting families in crisis to leading citywide safety and engagement initiatives, she has devoted herself to strengthening Baltimore’s communities. Now, she’s channeling that experience—and her love of basketball—into creating opportunities for the next generation.
I’m Myleana Beads Johnson. I was born and raised in Baltimore City, but moved around a little throughout elementary, middle school, and high school. I lived in New York and Las Vegas, then moved back to Baltimore. Even though I moved around, Baltimore was always home to me. I grew up in a city that taught me resilience early – where you learn how to navigate challenges, but also how to build community and show up for people.
Sports was one of my first teachers. I ran track, played volleyball, baseball, and of course, basketball. Sports and reaching for excellence run in my family. My grandfather, who I grew up with, was in the Guinness Book of World Records. He ran 121 miles non-stop from Baltimore to New York. Sport taught me how to lead, how to compete, and how to stay focused under pressure.
I always loved the game of basketball. You know, some girls walk up and down with a baby doll. I had a basketball in my hand. I was that girl. As a young person, I played recreational and high school basketball. As a power forward, that experience shaped my mindset. Teamwork, discipline, and accountability became part of who I am. I’ve always been competitive, but more than that. I’m an abstract thinker. I see potential where others may not.
What really drives me is transformation, whether it’s people, systems, communities. I’m passionate about taking something in one state and helping it grow into something better. To me, it’s like looking at an old property, seeing the value others overlooked, and putting in the work to restore it and elevate it.
I think some of that comes from my background, my work experience. My career has been defined by service to the city and people of Baltimore. I worked with families in three Baltimore City shelters. From there, I served as the Director of Ombudsmen at the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, where I would use conflict mediation between landlords, community members, and tenants. Also, under the Mayor Jack Young administration, I relocated families after fires. Then I relocated intimidated witnesses for the state’s attorney’s office.
From there, I was asked to come over to work in the mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety Engagement, where I served as the Chief of Community Engagement and Opportunity, which oversees reentry, youth diversion neighborhood policing plan, and coordinated neighborhood stabilization responses, meaning responses that happen after a homicide or police-involved shooting to help stabilize the community.
My life brought me to a place where I’m able to help people, especially youth. That’s what makes me tick. That’s my passion. That’s why I’m excited about PeacePlayers. I love the idea of teaching youth leadership and conflict mediation skills through a tool. And in Baltimore, it’s going to be greatly appreciated because the grassroots agencies are helping to keep the homicides down. And PeacePlayers will be a big part of that peace.
What resonates with me about PeacePlayers is that it uses sports as a tool for development, not just as recreation. They teach young people how to show up, how to push through adversity, and how to work towards something bigger than themselves. I feel like that foundation can change the trajectory of life.
My vision for Baltimore is a city where young people have clear pathways to success, where they feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive. Baltimore is a city of strength, culture and resilience. It’s a place where community runs deep, where people show up for each other. At the same time, we face real issues, like violence, economic disparities, systematic barriers that impact opportunity, but those challenges don’t define us. And what makes Baltimore special is the people. There’s talent, creativity, and leadership in every neighborhood. When you invest in people here, you see transformation happen in real time.
I see PeacePlayers playing a critical role in that by creating safe spaces in Baltimore with Catholic Charities’ new Fugett Center, building leadership skills, and fostering connections that extend beyond the court. It’s about giving young people structure and consistency, while helping them see what’s possible for their future. We’ll be able to assist youth from the age of 5 all the way up to high school. We’ll also work with high school age students that are in juvenile justice centers. So, we’ll be able to assist all ages, and even open up opportunities for leadership and employment with PeacePlayers.
I have a great team so far at PeacePlayers, and I’m looking to expand that and just bring more structure, innovation, and sustainability. I’m someone who builds, I like to create processes, develop programs, and make sure that they not only work, but grow. My goal is to strengthen what already exists, which is a great foundation, while expanding impact in a way that’s intentional and measurable. Most importantly, I want to ensure that every young person who comes through PeacePlayers leaves better than they came. More confident, more prepared, and more connected.
