Blind Milwaukee man inspires community with his gospel music
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- For several years, a blind Milwaukee man has been leaving his mark on the community through his passion for music.
Now, the community is repaying the favor as he continues to bring messages of hope at a time when people say they need it most.
"You've got to treat everybody right," Danva Johnson sang. "You’ve got to love one another."
Danva Johnson
The corner of 68th and Villard may look like just another gas station from afar. However, when you come closer and listen, you can see it's become a stage for Danva Johnson.
"I don’t sing songs, I sing messages," said Johnson.
The gas station has become his favorite spot to share messages of positivity through gospel music, a melody that changed Quierra Imani's life.
"It’s just like a crazy feeling when someone can actually talk to you through music, and that’s exactly what he did," said Imani.
Quierra says she was having a rough day, and as she heard his tune outside last week, she felt compelled to join in and sing.
"He started off with saying like, God put it in you for a reason, and then we just went from there and he was like basically talking to me, empowering me, telling me I could do it," said Imani.
It’s a moment that changed her perspective. After she shared a clip of him singing, it gained millions of views.
"He sings so amazing," said Quierra. "He touches so many people in our community, and now it’s across the world."
Quierra says people kept reaching out asking to help him, so she started a GoFundMe, raising more than $8,000 to help him with living expenses and new equipment.
"These people effortlessly, thoughtlessly came to me, and they embrace me and what I’m doing," said Johnson. "That means something to me."
Johnson says if he can help change one person's life with his song, it's all worth it.
"If I can build somebody up when they’re torn down and strengthen them where they’re weak, then my living is not in vain," said Johnson.