Sadeqa

Johnson

New York Times Bestselling Author

Professor & Public Speaker

Travels from: Richmond, VA

“Johnson showcases the difficult boundaries of race, class, and education as she explores the obstacles and consequences that confront those who seek to cross them.” — Booklist

Sadeqa Johnson, a former public relations manager, spent several years working with well-known authors such as J.K. Rowling, Amy Tan and Bishop T.D. Jakes before becoming an author herself. She is a New York Times Bestselling author of five novels. Her novel, The House of Eve was an instant New York Times Best Seller, Target book club pick, Reese’s Book Club selection and NAACP Image Award Nominee. Her previous novel, Yellow Wife, was named by Oprah Magazine as “27 of 2021 Most Anticipated Winter Historical Fiction books.” Yellow Wife was also a 2021 Goodreads Choice Award finalist for historical fiction, a 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, the Library of Virginia’s Literary People’s Choice Award winner, and a Barnes & Noble book club pick in paperback. Her upcoming novel, Keeper of Lost Children (2026), is a book about how one American woman’s vision in post WWII Germany will tie together three people in an unexpected way.

Sadeqa’s novels have received starred reviews from Kirkus and Library Journal and have been featured in top reads lists by NBC News.com, Good Housekeeping, Christian Science Monitor, Reader’s Digest, Off The Shelf, W Magazine, Country Living, Hollywood Life, Parade, She Reads, and many others. She is a passionate public speaker and writing coach. She teaches for the MFA program at Drexel University and is a writing instructor for Story Summit. When she’s not writing or reading library books, she’s practicing yoga, meditating, hiking and dancing.

Sadeqa's Featured Titles

The Writer’s Manifesto: How Belief Turns Pages into Bestsellers

What does it take to go from selling books out of the trunk of your car to becoming a bestselling author? In this inspiring talk, Sadeqa Johnson shares her journey from self-publishing hustler to literary success, powered not by luck—but by unshakable belief that there is a higher calling on her life. She reveals how vision boards, relentless focus, and the refusal to accept “no” became the blueprint for her success. More than a story about books, this is a testament to the power of mindset, manifestation, and the creative courage it takes to bet on yourself when no one else will. For anyone with a dream and the drive to chase it—this is your manifesto.

Key Takeaways:

Your belief is your blueprint: Success begins with a vision—if you can see it, speak it, and stay committed to it, you can write it into reality.
Rejection isn’t the end—it’s redirection: Every “no” becomes fuel when you refuse to let the world define your worth or your work.
Discipline is louder than doubt: It’s not about waiting to be chosen—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and breaking through the ceiling of your own limitations.

Audience: Community Reads, Libraries, Students, Writing Conferences, Motivational conferences

Keeper of Lost Children: Stories We Leave Behind

“Sadeqa Johnson has an uncanny gift for mining the past and transforming it into unforgettable fiction,” as praised by Nathan Harris, author of The Sweetness of Water.

Sadeqa Johnson, acclaimed author and historian, brings to light a hidden chapter of post-war history in her latest novel Keeper of Lost Children. She reveals the stories of thousands of biracial children born to German women and Black American GIs—children often abandoned, unwanted, and caught between two worlds that refused to claim them.

Johnson’s research led her to Mabel Grammer, a courageous journalist and advocate who adopted twelve of these children and launched the Brown Baby Plan, placing over 500 biracial children into loving African American families.

In this talk, she will explore the power of uncovering erased histories, especially those of women—stories too often marginalized, forgotten, or untold.

Key Takeaways:

The making of Keeper of Lost Children: Discovery, research and story.
Uncovering the hidden histories of women.
Storytelling as a tool for healing.

Audience: Community Reads, Libraries, Luncheons, Women’s groups, Black history, Women’s history, students

They Were Always There: Reclaiming the Stories of Forgotten Women in History

Sadeqa Johnson is a New York Times bestselling author of six novels, including three acclaimed works of historical fiction. While she always knew she was meant to be a writer, it was history that chose her. A walk along the Richmond Slave Trail led her to a marker honoring Mary Lumpkin and the infamous Lumpkin’s Jail—a discovery that sparked her breakthrough novel Yellow Wife. Years later, her own family’s hidden story—her maternal grandmother’s unmarried, teenage pregnancy in the 1950s—inspired The House of Eve, a powerful exploration of love, shame, and reproductive rights.

More recently, Johnson uncovered the little-known story of Mabel Grammer, a courageous Black journalist stationed in post-war Germany. Grammer adopted twelve biracial children—born to German mothers and Black American GIs—and launched the Brown Baby Plan, ultimately placing over 500 of these orphaned children into loving African American homes. Grammer’s story became the inspiration for Johnson’s latest novel, Keeper of Lost Children.

In this talk, Johnson weaves together personal legacy, historical erasure, and the power of storytelling to reclaim the often-overlooked contributions of Black women throughout history. Through fiction rooted in fact, she brings their lives to light—because they were always there. Now, we must remember them.

Key Takeaways:

Women have always been central, not marginal: From enslavement to motherhood, from survival to resistance, the lives of women have shaped the American story.
You don’t need permission to tell the story: Whether it’s inherited trauma or ancestral triumph, claiming and telling these stories is an act of creative and cultural freedom.
Follow the whispers: Uncovering lost stories begins with small clues—local archives, newspaper clippings, oral histories, or family memories. Researching hidden histories means following fragments and letting curiosity lead.

Audience: Community Reads, Libraries, Luncheons, Women’s groups, Black history, Women’s history, students

Keynote: From Surviving to Thriving: How I Transformed Shame Into Purpose

We all carry stories—of family, trauma, upbringing, and survival. But what if your past wasn’t your prison, but your power? In this transformative keynote, Sadeqa Johnson explores how to embrace where you come from without letting it define where you’re going.

By examining the ties that shaped you, letting go of shame and perfectionism, and meeting your inner child with compassion, you can step into a more honest, empowered, and authentic version of yourself. This talk is a call to those who are ready to stop hiding, start healing, and rewrite their narrative—from backstory to breakthrough.

Key Takeaways:

Your story is fuel, not a cage: Learn how to honor your roots, face your truth, and let go of what no longer serves you to move forward with clarity and power.
Authenticity requires courage: Real growth begins when you release shame, stop performing for approval, and show up as your whole, imperfect self.
Shatter the illusion to find your truth: Letting go of the “perfect picture” allows you to connect more deeply—with yourself and with others—through vulnerability and honesty.

Audience: Leadership conferences, Women’s conference, Women in Leadership, Ladies’ Luncheons, Women in Business, Motivational conferences

Craft Talk: What's Your Story?

“Sadeqa Johnson brought incredible energy, authenticity, and joy to our virtual event. Even through the screen, her storytelling was powerful—heartfelt, funny, and deeply personal. She made everyone feel like they were in the room with her, chatting with an old friend. Attendees were absolutely fan-girling over her presence in the chat, sharing their love for her books and expressing how honored they felt to engage with her directly. The Q&A felt like a conversation among friends, and the buzz after the event was electric. It was truly a pleasure to host Ms. Johnson—her warmth and presence left a lasting impression on our employee base.” — Verisk Reach Women’s Employee Network, 2025

“Sadeqa was an absolute pleasure to host for our 16th Annual Book Prize. She was warm, open, honest, and engaging. Her charm was infectious and many of our viewers felt like they we in a conversation between two friends.” — Women’s Way, 2024

“Sadeqa is a wonderful kind person who speaks from her heart. She was a wonderful additional to our Book Festival.” — West Virginia Book Festival, 2024

“We were thrilled to have Sadeqa Johnson as one of our featured authors at this year’s Verse & Vino event. Not only was she so kind and easy to work with behind the scenes, she had the ability to capture the attention of 1300 attendees such that you could hear a pin drop in the crowd. Following the event one guest told us “Her blend of personal story, library story and message for the audience was masterful.” We couldn’t agree more!” — Verse & Vino

“Event coordinators should know that Sadeqa Johnson is the whole package – especially if historical fiction is their intended spotlight. Sadeqa has a quick wit, is personable with her audience, and has a deft way of talking about challenging and complex historical subjects.” — Club Book

“Sadeqa Johnson is a wonderful storyteller! Her presentation to our community members was heartfelt, funny and personal. Ms. Johnson made it seem like we all were old friends, and she spoke to people like she has known them all their lives. As she signed books, she had meaningful conversations with individuals and even invited – insisted! – they take pictures with her. People left with smiles, and all commented on how wonderful the event was. It was a true pleasure to meet and work with Ms. Johnson!” — Fairfax County Public Library

“Sadeqa was wonderful to work with. Her talk was inspiring and she was so kind and generous with our guests. She is such a talented author and was a treat to host at our annual fundraiser. Sadeqa is welcome back to Saint Paul at any time!” — Opus & Olives Gala

“Sadeqa was a wonderful speaker. She engaged high school students and adults alike with her conversational presentation. There were long lines for books signings at both events and Sadeqa was gracious with her time, speaking with each person. Audience members were texting and emailing before even leaving the venue to be sure we knew how much they had enjoyed the presentation…” — Findlay-Hancock County Public Library

“A beautifully written and wonderfully crafted tale of two young Black women, their families and their love stories. However, that’s only the beginning of this immersive, captivating story. Johnson’s two main characters are strikingly different but stunningly similar. Readers will never forget Ruby or Eleanor, or the choices they make and the sacrifices they endure in this timely, relatable tale of women, children, skin color, haves and have-nots with an ending that will stay with you for a long, long time. A Reese’s Book Club pick, The House of Eve is an instant classic.” — NPR

“The House of Eve is a triumph of historical fiction.…Johnson’s novel is an affecting and arresting exploration of young Black womanhood and motherhood in the mid-20th century…. Johnson’s talents are in full bloom in this layered story with two distinctive and compelling young Black women at the center…. The House of Eve is engrossing, emotionally wrenching and socially astute storytelling.” — Washington Post

“A heartrending story.” — Taylor Jenkins Reid, via Goodreads

“Sadeqa Johnson is expert at excavating the parts of the past that we would rather not confront. She dusts off these harrowing histories, shines them up, and gives them their proper glory. She mines this terrain with soaring grace, shining intellect, and a love that resonates on every page. Thanks to Johnson’s enviable ability to craft narratives that not only educate and elucidate, but also enamor, the stories of Ruby and Eleanor, and the Ancestors and Elders they represent, will remain with me always. The House of Eve is a powerful witnessing, an indispensable testimony, and a remarkable addition to Johnson’s already stunning bibliography.” — ROBERT JONES, JR., author of The New York Times bestselling novel, The Prophets

Book Club Treats

Sadeqa’s Events Link

Honors, Awards & Recognition

NAACP Image Award Nominee 2023
Target Book Club selection, February 2024
New York Times Best Seller
Reese’s Book Club Pick
Apple Best Book of 2023
Goodreads Best Book of 2023
Audible Best of the Year Selection 2023
Indie Next Pick 2023
NPR’s Best Books of the Year Pick 2022
Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick 2022
Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist 2022
BCALA Literary Honoree 2022
Library of Virginia’s Literary People’s Choice Award winner 2022
Goodreads Choice Award finalist for historical fiction 2021
Phillis Wheatley Award for best fiction

Media clips

NPR | Sadeqa Johnson on her novel ‘The House of Eve’

NBC | Richmond author debuts historical fiction novel inspired by strong women

The New York Times | Newly Published, From Climate Fiction to a Lost Congolese Princess

Oprah Daily | 33 of 2021’s Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Novels

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.

Johnson

The Writer’s Manifesto: How Belief Turns Pages into Bestsellers

Keeper of Lost Children: Stories We Leave Behind

They Were Always There: Reclaiming the Stories of Forgotten Women in History

Keynote: From Surviving to Thriving: How I Transformed Shame Into Purpose

Craft Talk: What's Your Story?

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Media clips

Media Kit

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