Bestselling and Award-winning Author
Frederick Joseph
Frederick Joseph is a three-time New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from Yonkers, New York, whose work spans poetry, nonfiction, children’s literature, and young adult fiction. He is the author of the acclaimed YA novel This Thing of Ours, which received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly, was nominated for The Georgia Peach Book Award, and was named one of the Best Young Adult Books of 2025 by Kirkus, the Chicago Public Library, and BookPage.
His body of work includes the poetry collection We Alive, Beloved; the bestselling nonfiction titles The Black Friend and Patriarchy Blues; the collaborative volume Better Than We Found It; and the children’s books Black Panther: Wakanda Forever—The Courage to Dream and Planting Hope. Across genres, Joseph’s writing is known for its emotional precision, cultural urgency, and commitment to reimagining how we understand identity, justice, and belonging.
Joseph’s books have earned widespread recognition, including being named an Amazon Editors’ Pick, a selection of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, a Best Children’s Book of the Year by Bank Street College, and an Editors’ Choice by Booklist. His work has also been recognized by the International Literacy Association and the National Council for the Social Studies, and has been nominated for the In the Margins Award and longlisted for the Green Earth Book Award, among other honors.
In addition to his books, Joseph’s essays and cultural criticism have appeared in The Boston Globe, Essence, HuffPost, Adweek, and Cosmopolitan. He is also the recipient of both the Letter Review Poetry Prize and Essay Prize, and publishes ongoing work on politics and culture via his Substack.
Joseph’s literary career is deeply intertwined with his advocacy and philanthropic work. He has been recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30, honored with the Comic-Con Humanitarian of the Year Award, and named to The Root 100 list of Most Influential African Americans. His honors also include the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award and the Allyship Award at Lincoln Center’s Black Girl Magic Ball. A sought-after speaker, he has appeared at the UN HeForShe Summit and has partnered with Fortune 500 companies and national leaders to advance conversations around equity, culture, and social impact.
BOOKS
This THing Of Ours
Novel
By Frederick Joseph
Publication Date: May 6, 2025
The powerful and timely YA novel debut from three-time New York Times best-selling author Frederick Joseph is a deeply heartfelt story—and a rallying cry against book banning.
In an instant, Ossie Brown’s entire future is in jeopardy when a torn ACL ends his promising basketball career. Now that basketball is no longer a major part of his identity, Ossie—a Black teen who doesn’t come from wealth and privilege—must navigate his new place in the social and academic ecosystems of his affluent, predominantly white school. When a Black teacher encourages him to join her highly regarded writing program, Ossie begins to find a new purpose, buoyed by not only the rich works of literature by marginalized authors he’s now reading, but also by new friends who see him as something more than an asset to the sports program. Everything changes when some students’ viral “anti-woke” video puts the teacher’s job, the writing program, and even Ossie’s friends’ safety at risk—and Ossie must find his true voice. This unflinching novel confronts critical issues like racism and classism, the treatment of student athletes, homophobia, and book banning while weaving together a moving testament to family, romance, friendship, and the power of words.
WE ALIVE, BELOVED
POEMS
By Frederick Joseph
Publication Date: June 11, 2024
NYT Bestselling Author, Frederick Joseph, explores a new genre in this captivating poetry collection that seeks to find joy in moments of difficulty whether through illuminating the beauty of being Black, highlighting the hope that can be found in childhood, or by sharing intimate truths revealed on a mental health journey. This book will appeal to both new and established readers of poetry.
Step into the world of We Alive, Beloved, where its words will resonate within the deepest corners of your soul, leaving a mark on your heart and a renewed appreciation for the beauty of being alive.
50% of all author profit from this book are being donated to the Palestinian Children’s Fund and Friends of Congo, in an effort to support the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Democratic Republic of Congo respectively.
BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT
Conversations to Help Save The World
Publication Date: October 11, 2022
An indispensable guide to social and political progressivism for young people and anyone wanting to get more involved. Featuring more than two dozen interviews with prominent activists, authors, actors, and politicians, this is the essential resource for those who want to make the world better than we found it.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Courage to dream
Release Date: November 1, 2022
Set in the world of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever from Marvel Studios, The Courage to Dream is an inspiring picture book about a young Wakandan finding her destiny, from two New York Times best-selling creators.
The Courage to Dream tells the story of Assata, a young Wakandan who hopes to become one of the Dora Milaje, the warriors who protect Wakanda. But because of Assata’s disability, she lets go of her dream. Assata’s light shows through all the same, introducing her to surprising friends: the princess Shuri, the warrior Okoye, and the powerful M’Baku.
Patriarchy Blues
Reflections on Manhood
Publication Date: May 17, 2022
In this thought-provoking collection of essays, poems, and short reflections, Frederick Joseph explores issues of masculinity and patriarchy from both a personal and cultural standpoint. From fatherhood, and "manning up" to abuse and therapy, he fearlessly and thoughtfully tackles the complex realities of men's lives today and their significance for society, lending his insights as a Black man.
The Black Friend
On Being A Better White Person
Publication Date: December 1, 2020
Writing from the perspective of a friend, Frederick Joseph offers candid reflections on his own experiences with racism and conversations with prominent artists and activists about theirs — creating an essential read for white people who are committed anti-racists and those newly come to the cause of racial justice.
Awards
Frederick’s New York Times Bestselling book, The Black Friend, was nominated for the Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of The Year, In the Margins Book Award List, Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices Book List, and ILA Children's and Young Adult Book Award.
Marketing
Frederick has DEI experience working with large companies and political candidates focused on structuring paths forward to move from ally to accomplice. He was also a national surrogate for the Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders campaigns.
Philanthropy
Frederick is the sole creator of the largest GoFundMe campaign in history, the #BlackPantherChallenge, which ultimately generated over $43 million dollars in earned advertising and media for Disney and raised over $950K and allowed more than 75,000 children worldwide to see 'Black Panther’ for free.
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