Growing up, Johnny hated reading and school! There were few books with people who looked like him. None of the authors wrote about events he dealt with as a young kid. There was a need for more representation.
After a couple years as an educator and basketball coach, Johnny realized it was time to write novels featuring Black and Brown characters as protagonists. Visit his author page on Amazon or find a read aloud on YouTube!
The following pages include information about how to order and summaries on both of his Young Adult fiction novels; Take the Shot and The Dirt Court.
You will also find a portfolio with a brief synopsis of past presentations and speaking engagements. He has created a Resource page for teachers AND parents. Topics are organized based on subject: Faith, Math, and Reading are some examples.
In April 2021, Johnny received the inaugural Gerald Ensley Developing Author Award. This award is presented to a “developing” writer who has shown potential for continued success in literacy.
The award is named after the former Tallahassee Democrat newspaper writer as part of the Florida Book Awards. Ensley was known as a story-teller whom valued the experiences and built relationships with all Floridians who read his column.