Dr. Jeffery M. Johnson, nationally recognized fatherhood advocate, community leader, and President and CEO of the National Partnership for Community Leadership (NPCL), is bringing readers two deeply impactful books that celebrate resilience, preserve Black history, and offer practical solutions for building stronger communities.

In Roots of Resilience: My Tooson Family Story, Dr. Johnson chronicles the remarkable journey of the Tooson family from slavery to landownership, tracing generations of perseverance, faith, education, military service, and community leadership. Built from oral interviews, family storytelling, historical records, photographs, and land deeds, the book preserves a living family legacy while highlighting the broader African American experience.

At the heart of the story is Berry and Jane Tooson’s extraordinary achievement of securing and preserving nearly 2,000 acres of land in the Jim Crow South — a powerful act of resilience, independence, and generational empowerment.

“Family history is sacred,” says Dr. Johnson. “These stories remind us where we come from, what our ancestors endured, and why preserving memory matters for future generations.”

The book also explores themes of racial identity, land inheritance, faith, healing, and the importance of family reunions in preserving collective memory and cultural heritage.

In his companion book, From Endangered to Empowered, Dr. Johnson shifts from personal history to a broader national conversation about Black men, boys, and families in America. Using the metaphor of the bald eagle — once endangered, now thriving — he presents a hopeful and practical blueprint for transformation.

The book addresses major issues, including education equity, economic justice, fatherhood engagement, health disparities, criminal justice reform, media representation, and grassroots leadership. Rather than focusing solely on problems, Dr. Johnson offers actionable frameworks and community-driven solutions designed to create lasting systemic change.

“For me, this work is personal,” Dr. Johnson explains. “I was inspired by my father, mentors, teachers, and community leaders whose contributions were often overlooked despite the tremendous impact they had on families and communities.”

With more than 30 years of national leadership in fatherhood and family advocacy, Dr. Johnson has helped shape federal fatherhood policy, directed major community initiatives, and received more than 100 honors, including the President Biden Lifetime Achievement Award.

Together, Roots of Resilience and From Endangered to Empowered serve as both a tribute and a call to action, encouraging readers to preserve their stories, strengthen their communities, and build a future grounded in resilience, dignity, and empowerment.

Both books are available through NPCL.

About the Author

Dr. Jeffery M. Johnson, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of the National Partnership for Community Leadership (NPCL), a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on strengthening families, promoting responsible fatherhood, and advancing community leadership. With more than 30 years of experience in advocacy, policy, and community empowerment, Dr. Johnson has become a leading voice in fatherhood and family well-being initiatives across the United States. He is the author of several books and curricula, including Your Journey to Co-Parenting and Cornerstones of Responsible Fatherhood. His work has earned more than 100 honors, including the President Biden Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Johnson holds B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan.