Dr. John F. Leeke, Author of American Change Agent

American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion

by Dr. John F. Leeke

with Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke

Press Release

Media Coverage

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Discover the rich, inspiring journey of Dr. John F. Leeke, a descendant of the Akan people of Ghana, the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Indigenous Turtle Island nations, European settlers, and freedom seekers who escaped slavery in Hagerstown, Maryland. This collection of stories spans 85 years of Dr. Leeke’s life, showcasing his family, career, and dedication to diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Explore Dr. Leeke’s early years in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana, his Catholic education in Washington, DC, and his academic pursuits at Indiana State Teachers College. Follow his career as a teacher and guidance counselor in Flint, Michigan, his graduate studies at the University of Michigan, and his impactful work in community organizing and organizational development.

Learn how Dr. Leeke’s leaps of faith in various roles, including his tenure at the National Education Association and his entrepreneurial ventures, solidified his commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. His reflections on six decades of diversity, equality, and inclusion work reveal the institutional changes he championed and his ongoing influence in retirement through church involvement, civic engagement, and online activism.

Dr. Leeke’s stories are an invitation to reflect on your own journey, embrace humanity’s diversity, and become a change agent in your community.

Read Author Bios

John F. Leeke, Ph.D., is a change agent, organizer, advocate, digital senior citizen activist, podcaster, and blogger who lives in Maryland. Dr. Leeke is a graduate of Archbishop Carroll High School, Indiana State University, University of Michigan, and Union Institute. Visit anandaleeke.com/drjohn to learn more about him. Connect with him on facebook.com/john.leeke1. Follow @drjleeke on Instagram.

Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke is an artist, author, coach, human design doula, and digital communications professional who lives in Washington, DC. Leeke is a graduate of Elizabeth Seton High School, Morgan State University, Howard University School of Law, and Georgetown University Law Center. Her books, Love’s Troubadours: Karma – Book One, That Which Awakens Me, and Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online are available on Amazon. Follow @anandaleeke on Bluesky, LinkedIn, Substack, and YouTube.

Watch Ask Dr. John, a Father-Daughter Conversation Series About Writing American Change Agent

Check out some of the videos below. There are 22 videos in the series.

VIDEO #1: Why Did You Write the Book?

VIDEO #2: What Are We Most Proud About Writing Our Book?

VIDEO #3: What Book Chapters Truly Represent You?

VIDEO #4: What Was Most Difficult About Writing the Book?

VIDEO #5: What Legacy Are We Creating with the Book?

VIDEO #6: Discovering and Writing About Our Family’s African Ancestry

VIDEO #7: Our Family’s Direct Connection to the Underground Railroad by Way of Hagerstown, Maryland to Amherstburg, Canada

VIDEO #8: Celebrating Juneteenth

VIDEO #9: The Impact of the Black Church in Our Lives

VIDEO #10: The Meaning of Fatherhood