Kansas City rallies around 2 brothers for a prom night to remember after tragic loss
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - What began as heartbreak turned into hope this week as the community came together to wrap two grieving brothers in love, light, and support.
Earlier this month, Janette Johnson was tragically found murdered in the street near East 102nd Terrace. The loss shook the neighborhood—and left her sons, high school senior Zymire Johnson and junior Roger Haney, without their beloved mother just days before prom.
But rather than let grief define their moment, Show Kansas City chose compassion.
Through the efforts of the local nonprofit “Show Me You Care KC,” Zymire and Roger were given a red carpet prom experience worthy of kings. The celebration unfolded at the iconic World War I Museum and Memorial, where neighbors, school leaders, and business owners gathered to honor the boys 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.”
Zymire and Roger arrived dressed to impress—Zymire in a sharp brown coat and black bow tie, Roger in a striking green blazer with brown dress shoes. But perhaps the most beautiful detail of the evening was that their mother was symbolically right there with them.
“We had a designer that was able to design the boutonnieres for our guys,” said Kendrick Carlock, their high school counselor. “We wanted to make sure that their mother was able to go with them off to prom, and they’re looking sharp, she’s looking sharp, and they’re both heading off to prom.”
It was more than a celebration. It was a healing moment, wrapped in community care and a reminder of what’s possible when a city shows up for 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.
The evening’s photographers captured not just style but spirit. Chelle Harvey of Chelle Shots Photography was one of them.
“I seen confidence, I seen resilience. I seen ambition,” Harvey said. “I see just positive—nothing but positive vibes and positive outcome for the boys.”
The two brothers were also joined by their younger siblings for family photos. It was a reminder that though their world has changed forever, they are not alone.
“We have to learn to love each other. We have to show up for each other. We have to bring back villages,” said West.
Police continue to investigate Janette Johnson’s death. She was shot after an altercation with an unknown suspect on April 4th near the 6300 block of East 102nd Terrace. Anyone with information is urged to call KCPD at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
If you’d like to support the family during this difficult time, contributions can be made HERE.
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