Frederick Joseph (author)

Frederick Joseph is an American author. He has written two The New York Times bestselling books,The Black Friend,[1] a social justice book aimed at younger readers based on his own experiences as Black youth in Westchester County, New York and subsequent college years.[2][3] and Patriarchy Blues: Reflections on Manhood (2022). He has also written two other titles: Better Than We Found It (2022) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Courage to Dream (2022). He has been published on the topics of marketing, culture, and politics in various publications including HuffPost, USA Today, NowThisNews, and The Independent. Joseph also received media attention for a fundraising initiative for rent relief program in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Frederick Joseph
BornYonkers, NY
OccupationAuthor, writer
LanguageEnglish
Alma materHunter College

In 2019, Joseph was named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for marketing and advertising. Joseph was also honored with the 2018 Comic-con Humanitarian of the Year Award and was a member of the 2018 The Root 100 List of Most Influential African Americans. He has been featured over 2,000 times in the media for his work, including Business Insider, Vogue, The Oscars, Ellen, CNN, Good Morning America, and iHeart Media.

Books

The Black Friend: On Being A Better White Person

In December 2020, Candlewick Press released Frederick Joseph's first book, The Black Friend: On Being A Better White Person. Joseph decided to write this young adult book after reflecting on daily microaggressions throughout his life.[1] Writing from the perspective of a friend, Joseph offers candid reflections on his own experiences with racism, as well as conversations with prominent artists and activists about theirs. The Black Friend encourages White people to be thoughtful of their interactions with people of color. It is a guide for those who want to do better.[5] The book discusses racism and social injustice and teaches awareness and knowledge to help people become antiracist. It includes personal experiences, interviews, references to pop culture and media, and an interactive encyclopedia of racism.[6] Despite limited marketing and no book tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person, became an instant New York Times Best Seller.

Patriarchy Blues: Reflections on Manhood

In May 2022, Harper Perennial released Frederick's second book, Patriarchy Blues: Reflections on Manhood, which examines the culture of masculinity from the perspective of a Black man. It became an instant New York Times Best Seller and includes a collection of essays, poems, and short reflections on the concept of toxic masculinity and the experiences of men, particularly those of color. Joseph's personal and cultural standpoints on fatherhood, stereotypes, and what it means to be a man were his inspiration for this book. This autobiography discusses topics related to misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and more.[7]

Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save The World

In Fall 2022, Candlewick Press released Frederick's next book, Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save The World, which is coauthored by Porsche Joseph. This young adult nonfiction serves as a guide to social and political progressivism, and covers issues related to climate change, health care, economic inequality, gun violence and more.[8]

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream

In November 2022, Disney Publishing Worldwide released Frederick's debut picture book, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream.

Activism

Frederick has raised more than $1.5 million dollars for various causes through GoFundMe and consults with large corporate clients on philanthropic efforts.[4][9]

Philanthropy

In 2018, Frederick Joseph launched the #BlackPantherChallenge on GoFundMe in an effort to promote representation and inclusion by raising more than $1 million globally for 73 thousand children of color to see the movie at no cost.[10][1] His successful fundraising efforts led to an umbrella campaign that resulted in the biggest entertainment-related GoFundMe in history.[9] The campaign tripled its goal in 10 days and included support from public figures such as Chelsea Clinton, J.J. Abrams, and Jemele Hill.[11] He also founded We Have Stories, a nonprofit marketing and fundraising agency that provides financial grants for those focused on representation and inclusion.[12]

In 2019, Frederick launched the #CaptainMarvelChallenge in partnership with Girls Inc. which raised more than $60 thousand for little girls to see the female led film through his non-profit, We Have Stories.[13]

In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, Frederick Joseph launched the #RentRelief campaign on GoFundMe and transferred cash to people directly via PayPal, Venmo, or other cash apps. Due to unemployment, delayed stimulus checks, and unexpected bills, Frederick distributed $200 payments to whoever needed it.[14] He also raised and donated $40,000 to New York City's food bank in the absence of government aid since the pandemic-related layoffs began.[15]

Personal life

Joseph was born and raised in Yonkers, New York and attended Saunders Trade and Technical. He cites his maternal grandmother, Thelma Ford, as one of his writing inspirations, who wrote short stories. Ford strived to become a published author, but was unable to due to obstacles in place for Black women in poverty in the 1930's and 1940's.[1]

Joseph graduated from Hunter College in 2012 with a degree in Political science and Creative Writing.

After graduating, Joseph worked in copy editing and marketing, leading into a career of progressive writing, activism, and becoming a New York Times Bestselling author.

In 2018, Joseph became engaged to writer Porsche Landon after two years of dating. They live in Queens, New York with their dog Stokely.[16][17]

Ideas, Influences, and Political Stances

Racial Issues

Frederick Joseph frequently discusses racial issues and calls out the absence of accountability. In a discussion with Forbes about social media's anti-blackness, he states that the "algorithms were designed by White engineers with White individuals in mind" and that White consumers are "upholding systems of inequity."[18] He has also partnered with Yahoo Life on the Allyship Pledge program to help readers recognize systems of oppression and become accomplices rather than allys.[19] His book, The Black Friend, discusses painful racist moments and acts as a tool for White people to better understand problematic behavior.[20] He has also raised nearly $1 million to send more than 73 thousand kids to see the movie "Black Panther" in an effort to promote representation and inclusion.[1]

Women's Rights

Frederick's non-profit, We Have Stories, provides financial grants to help increase positive representation of minority groups in the media, and Girls Inc. LA. His GoFundMe Captain Marvel Challenge raised money for young girls to see the female led film. Frederick believes that, "Everyone should have an opportunity to see women in roles they can aspire to one day be, roles that show women as strong, smart, and bold."[13]

Awards and recognition
  • International Literacy Association (ILA) Children's and Young Adult's Book Award[21]
  • 2021 Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of The Year
  • 2021 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices Book List[22]
  • 2021 In the Margins Book Award[23]
  • 2020 New York Times Bestselling Author
  • 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 for Marketing and Advertising[24]
  • Comic-Con Humanitarian of the Year[25]
  • The Root 100 List of Most Influential African Americans[26]

Bibliography

Adult Non-Fiction
  • Patriarchy Blues: Reflections On Manhood (2022) ISBN 978-0-06-313832-2

Young Adult Non-Fiction
  • The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person (2020) ISBN 978-1-5362-1701-8
  • Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save The World (2022) ISBN 978-1-5362-2452-8

Picture Book
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream (2022) ISBN 978-1368076739

References
  1. Egan, Elisabeth (December 17, 2020). "Want to Talk About Racism? Sit Next to Frederick Joseph". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  2. Westmoore, Jean (January 22, 2021). "Books in Brief: The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph, Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore". The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  3. "Ibram X. Kendi Recommends 6 Books To Help Your Kids Understand Race". NPR.org. June 21, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  4. DeSantis, Rachel (April 16, 2020). "Author Raises Over $270K to Help More Than 900 People Pay Bills: It's 'Become Survival Money'". Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  5. Cohen, Kate (November 22, 2021). "Opinion: Parents think they know what is best for schools. But they often don't". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  6. Bondi, Gabrielle (December 10, 2020). "'The Black Friend' review: Frederick Joseph's honest and affecting guide "on being a better white person"". The Young Folks. The Young Folks. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  7. Brown, Malik (March 6, 2022). "Frederick Joseph discusses his book 'Patriarchy Blues". Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  8. Maughan, Shannon (February 24, 2022). "Fall 2022 Children's Sneak Previews". Publishers Weekly. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  9. O'Falt, Chris (February 14, 2018). "#BlackPantherChallenge Founder Explains How the Campaign's Success Proves the System Needs to Be Disrupted". Indie Wire. Indie Wire. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  10. Pannell, Ni'Kesia (October 24, 2020). "Black Panther' Inspires Worldwide Fundraisers For Kids: Here's How You Can Support". Essence. Essence. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  11. Lee, Lauren (January 10, 2018). "An activist starts a GoFundMe campaign to help kids in Harlem see 'Black Panther". CNN. CNN. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  12. Jasper, Marykate (February 11, 2018). "The #BlackPantherChallenge Has Raised More Than $300,000 to Send Kids to See Black Panther". The Mary Sue. The Mary Sue. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  13. Lewis, Rebecca (February 24, 2019). "Mini Captain Marvels steal Oscars red carpet to donate $10k to the Captain Marvel challenge". Metro. Metro. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  14. Vanderberg, Madison (April 19, 2020). "Author Is Venmo'ing Thousands Of $200 Cash Payments To Anyone That Needs It". Scary Mommy. Scary Mommy. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  15. Ross, Janell (April 17, 2020). "As more black Americans die from coronavirus, community leaders are taking action". NBC News. NBC News. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  16. Press, Candlewick (December 2, 2020). "'The Black Panther Challenge' Creator Frederick Joseph's New Book 'The Black Friend' is a Must-Read on Anti-Racism and White Allyship". Cision PR Newswire. Cision PR Newswire. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  17. DeSantis, Rachel (April 16, 2020). "Author Raises Over $270K to Help More Than 900 People Pay Bills: It's 'Become Survival Money'". People. People. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  18. Preston, Ashlee Marie (August 9, 2021). "Taking On Tech: Social Media's Anti-Blackness And Algorithmic Aggression In The Absence Of Accountability". Forbes. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  19. Lee, Shanon (March 2, 2021). "How to commit to a life of allyship: 'create an actual home in your life for your allyship'". Yahoo. Yahoo. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  20. Westmoore, Jean (January 22, 2021). "Books in Brief: The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph, Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore". The Buffalo News. The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  21. "Children's and Young Adults' Book Awards, International Literacy Association". www.literacyworldwide.org. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  22. "Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices Book List" (PDF).
  23. "2021 YA NONFICTION AWARD". In the Margins Book Awards. February 9, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  24. "30 Under 30 2019: Marketing & Advertising". Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  25. "Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award". Comic-Con International: San Diego. December 5, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  26. "The Root 100 – The Most Influential African Americans In 2018". The Root. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
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