Author Kyerra Johnson-Massey was born and raised in East St. Louis, IL, also known as “The City of Champions” - a small city across from its neighboring city, Saint Louis, MO separated by the Mississippi River.  In 1917, a Race Riot took place and a reported 250 or more African American lives were lost followed by a mass migration and burning of the area. The Race riots, much like the traumatic past Kyerra would suffer witnessing the homicide - suicide of her parents, a story that shook Kyerra and changed her future forever.  But much like East St. Louis, Kyerra is a phoenix reborn and an unlikely beacon of hope.

Her latest book, “The Journal of African American Thoughts” (scheduled to be released on Juneteenth, June 19th) gives vivid details on the thoughts behind racial acts in the United States of America against African Americans. The history can be told by many but the emotions behind the history is what makes this book a canvas of thoughts to step into. Vagrancy, Juneteenth, Mass Incarceration are all names mentioned in this book and the past that haunts our present years as African Americans in the United States. There is an element of hope behind each story; the hope is, after reading each story, the reader learns the truth behind the words of systemic racism and how together we can change our future by understanding our past.

Learn about StoryTerrace's freelance ghostwriter opportunities.

StoryTerrace is responsible for writing the life story of 94-year-old, Fort Worth activist Opal Lee, known as the mother of Juneteenth, and many other black entertainers, athletes, and social justice leaders.

We, as black writers, have an opportunity to add our diverse voices to stories that will live on for years to come. Also, interested writers can earn on average $1,200 per project.

To learn more about StoryTerrace, watch the interview with Editorial Team Lead Kevin Danielczyk here: https://youtu.be/CjI_aph1308. To inquire about their job opportunities email, [email protected] or go to, https://storyterrace.com/.

Note: We do not endorse the company but we strongly support writing opportunities that help to advance stories for and about communities of color.