“It takes a whole village to raise a child”. This is an old African Proverb that many of us have heard but never truly understood. So many people are so quick to judge the mistakes and downfalls of today’s youth especially our young black men. They are condemned in the press and have become in many ways an endangered species. So where is this village? Where is this community of fathers, mothers, teachers, preachers, and friends? Who among us today is willing to stand up and fight to regain our communities and children? Great minds throughout history have tried to analyze and create a cure to the violence in today’s American inner cities and Steve Johnson aims to carry on that tradition.

Steve is a native of Pittsburgh who knows first hand the pitfalls of violence in our communities. He grew up on the very same streets that we are now losing our young men by the hundreds. His first book sought to reach young black men and help educate them with his personal story. His second book is set to be released in November 2011 called How did I get here? From A Kushite to a Thug. This book teaches the history of a great race of people and follows the journey from the African Kushites to the modern day “thug”. Steve realizes that the only way to truly impact the lives of young men is to teach them their history. Once we have taught them their history we can help them map out a plan for their future. As the great historian John Henrik Clarke once said, “all history is a current event.”

Steve wants to not only get his book in the hands of our young black men but he wants to engage them in conversations about the book. He is choosing to stand up and be counted and be a mentor for any young man that needs a helping hand.

Steve is available for book signings, interviews and speaking events. To arrange any of these please contact swjbooks@gmail.com.

 "Who Are We"