Frederick Joseph is an American author. He has written two The New York Times bestselling books,The Black Friend: on being a better white person,[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]
In December 2020, Candlewick Press released Frederick Joseph's first book, The Black Friend: On Being A Better White Person. The book discusses racism and was written as a tool for White people to better understand problematic behavior.[5]
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 was 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, and transphobia.[6]
Better Than We Found It: Conversations to Help Save The World
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.
Philanthropy and activism
Frederick, a fundraising consultant, has raised more than $1.5million dollars for various causes through GoFundMe.[4][8]
Joseph is the founder of We Have Stories, a nonprofit marketing and fundraising agency that provides financial grants for those focused on representation and inclusion.[9]
In 2019, Girls Inc., in partnership with We Have Stories, raised more than $60,000 for girls to see Captain Marvel.[10] Frederick stated 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."[10]
In 2018, Frederick Joseph helped raise $1million on GoFundMe for 73,000 children of color to watch Black Panther at no cost to them.[11][1] At the time, it was in the largest entertainment-related GoFundMe in the company’s history.[8] The campaign tripled its goal in 10 days and included support from public figures such as Chelsea Clinton, J.J. Abrams, and Jemele Hill.[12]
In 2020, Joseph launched a GoFundMe campaign called #RentRelief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign sent $200 payments to those who requested it.[13] Joseph also helped raise $40,000 for New York City’s food bank network during that time.[14]
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. Ford was a short story writer who was unable to become a published author because of racism and sexism.[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, which led to his career as an 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.[15][16]
Views
Joseph frequently discusses racial issues. In a 2021 interview with Forbes about anti-blackness on social media, Joseph stated that the "algorithms were designed by White engineers with White individuals in mind" and that White consumers are "upholding systems of inequity."[17] He partnered with Yahoo Life on an antiracism called the Allyship Pledge.[18]
Awards and recognition
2023 Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award
International Literacy Association (ILA) Children's and Young Adult's Book Award[19]
2021 Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of The Year
2021 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices Book List[20]
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