David Johnson knows that Charlotte is filled with everyday heroes and he wants to know who yours is.

Through Silent Images, the nonprofit service organization he founded, Johnson has launched the "My Silent Hero" project to celebrate Charlotte's unsung heroes.

He wants to share the stories of the teachers, shop owners, volunteers and "people next door" who are making the lives of those around them better. He is asking anyone with a camera (cellphone, digital or otherwise) to snap a shot of his or her hero and send it his way along with a short description.

Frustrated by media coverage of divisive politicians, scandal and corporate greed, Johnson wants to help tell the stories about the people who he feels make the most impact in our community.

"I want to challenge the culture to shift off the headlines that emphasize the divisions among us and focus on those people and actions that work to unify and bring us together," said Johnson.

A former middle school teacher, Johnson knows image-based storytelling is a powerful tool. With Silent Images, he works with others to tell the stories of hope in the midst of persecution, poverty or oppression through journalistic photography, videography and writing.

Their work has taken them around the world, bearing witness to humanitarian crises such as those found in Sudan and Ethiopia. There they captured stories of hope and used photos and video as a means of educating, informing others and inspiring action.

In 2009 Johnson worked with local homeless children through a photography class he taught at Nexus Global Serve, a Charlotte nonprofit that supports at-risk communities. The resulting class project featured the photography of urban at-risk kids and became an exhibit at the Levine Museum of the New South titled "Charlotte Through Our Eyes."

"It was very powerful. People directly related to and saw themselves in the images of others," said Johnson. "The connections are immediate, lasting and have an inspirational effect. I'm hopeful we can strike a similar chord with 'My Silent Hero.' "

Project for anyone with a camera

People featured at the project's website include a teacher who finds the best in her students, a 9-year-old girl who spends time after school picking up trash in her neighborhood and a Dumpster-diving college student with small pockets but a big heart for feeding the homeless.

"This project is for everyone with a camera," Johnson said. "This is not for professional photographers; we want participation across the community showcasing those folks making contributions both small and large."

Johnson has three goals.

"I want the project to celebrate and recognize our community heroes; create a movement of heroism that can be emulated here and nationally; and use the proceeds we raise from sponsorships to give back to the community."

He said four local nonprofits - A Child's Place, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Pregnancy Resource Center of Charlotte and Brookstone School - will share in part of the money raised.

Exhibit at Levine Museum

Once again he'll work with the Levine Museum of the New South, which will host an exhibition featuring "My Silent Hero" in July. The exhibit will be on display during the Democratic National Convention.

Kate Baillon van Rensburg, vice president of exhibits at the Levine Museum, said: "When David approached us last year with 'My Silent Hero' we were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him again. He is a unique collaboration partner, as he doesn't just give voice to the voiceless; he gives them the platform to speak for themselves."

The idea behind the project fits well with the vision and mission of the museum, Baillon van Rensburg said.

"We are all about building history through community," she said. "The museum also strives to demonstrate courage in its many forms. This project allows for focus on small, but courageous, acts of heroism that really do make a difference in our community."