About

Naj is the acronym of my name Natalee A. Johnson (NAJ).

I am mother, author, educator, creator, community change agent and advocate for children, youth, women and families. I am the founder of Passion 4 Dreams Inc and author of My Magnificent Hair (2016) and I Come As I Am: Reflections of Verse (Revised 2016).

My journey of writing begun as a child with my grandmother who lived in the Caribbean. We maintained communication by writing letters to each other. Through our letters, we shared many stories. In which, I developed a love for reading and writing.

As a change agent, I continually advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, while ensuring to dismantle anti-Black racism and inequalities. Growing up in the inner city, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, I was labelled an at-risk youth. I know first-hand what it is like to live with labels, especially when I became a teenage mother. I chose not to allow labels to determine my future and dictate who I should become. Through my journey of overcoming many challenges, I learned to be resilient, to use my skills and knowledge to empower others. My writing is a tool used to bring about change, as I share my lived experiences. As an educator, child and youth worker and early childhood educator, when I am not writing, I am supporting families, children and youth in diverse communities.

I have been part of several documentaries in Ontario. One being the College of Early Childhood Educator documentary (2013) highlighting the career of Early Childhood Educators across Ontario. I’m passionate about community, utilizing my talents, skills and knowledge to empower and inspire others. As an author, motivational speaker and creator, I focus on inspiring, educating, sustainability, while building stronger communities.

Writing is a powerful tool used to impact and change lives. Through my writing, as a change agent, community leader and role model, my goal is continue to empower and uplift others, sharing diverse stories and experiences, and working towards positive change.

Signature Speaking Topics

Click here for speaking topics if you require a tailored topic that is not on the list, please connect with me.

Natalee has had diverse speaking engagements. She has also been featured in the documentary Early Childhood Educators in Ontario, Canada (College of Early Childhood Educators, 2013) and several newspaper articles within Ontario, Canada. 

International Speaking Engagements:

• One Woman Fearless Women’s Summit, Guest Speaker, Topic: Moving with Purpose and Not Fear, Columbia, Ohio, June 29th, 2019
• BookCon Book Expo, through Book Vine Press, Book Signing and Interview, Javits Centre, New York City, June 1 to 2, 2019
• One Women Fearless Women’s Summit, Guest Speaker, Topic: Moving with Purpose and Not Fear, New York City, March 16th, 2019

Featured: 

• Virtual Community Readings, Brampton Cultural Days, Brampton Library (2020)
• Presenter, Her Voice Artist and Artisans, (2020)
• Guest Speaker, African, Caribbean and Black Women’s Support Group (ACB), Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment (2020)
• Guest Speaker, Network for the Empowerment of Women, International Women’s Day, March 7th – 8th, 2020, Halifax, Nova Scotia (2020)
• Indie Author Day, Pickering, Ontario, October 5th, 2019, Keynote Speech
• Organizer of 2019 Girl’s Empowered Youth Conference (October 2019), Collaboration with Scott’s Mission – Video
• African Canadian Literary Education (ACLE), July 2019
• One Woman Guest Speaker, Ohio, June 29th, 2019, Highlighted Video
• One Woman Fearless Woman Summit, New York, March 29th, 2019, Guest Speaker, Highlighted Video
• Ontario Library Association (OLA), 2018,
• Co-facilitator and organizer of the Girl’s Empowered Youth Conference (October 2018), Highlighted Video 
• Guest Speaker at Black Women Bridging Borders, York University, (2017)
• Guest Speaker at Seneca College Career Day, (2017)
• The organizer of Passion 4 Dreams Black History Event, covered by RogersTV Peel Region, (2017)
• Share Caribbean Newspaper, (2013)
• Featured in the College of Early Childhood Educators Promotional Video Highlighting Early Childhood Educators in Ontario, (2013)
• Featured in the Toronto Sun Newspaper, (2012)
• Featured in Toronto Metro Business Newspaper, (2011)
• Featured in Seneca Red Magazine, (2011)
• Received Seneca College Distinction Award,(2011)

Steps to Booking Me:

• Review my profile
• Complete the Interest to Book Form here
• Upon receiving the Interest to Book Form, you will be contacted for a discovery call
• Collaboration based on a neutral agreement

What is my cost?

• Cost will vary based on the project. Reduce cost for Not-for-Profit Organizations and women’s groups focused on empowering.
• My cost will include travel charges, accommodations, and materials that will need to be provided. This will be discussed during the discovery call.