Joan Steinau Lester

Joan Steinau Lester, Ed.D., is an award-winning writing coach, commentator and author of the acclaimed biography ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON: FIRE IN MY SOUL, as well as two previous books, THE FUTURE OF WHITE MEN AND OTHER DIVERSITY DILEMMAS and TAKING CHARGE: EVERY WOMAN’S ACTION GUIDE.

Her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Huffington Post, Common Dreams, and Black Issues in Higher Education, among others. Her commentaries have been regularly featured on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” San Francisco's KQED "Perspectives," and Public Radio International’s “Marketplace."

After receiving her doctorate in multicultural education, Dr. Lester was Executive Director of the Equity Institute for sixteen years. This national firm, first based in Amherst and then Emeryville, California, pioneered the diversity wave of the '80s and '90s. She continues as a member of its successor, the Equity Consulting Group.

Lester’s books have garnered praise from print media like Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus Review, Ms, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Detroit Free Press, The San Francisco Chronicle, Executive Female, American Personnel Journal, Belles Lettres, Black Issues Book Review, and the American Society of Trainers and Developers. Her books are in wide use as college texts and corporate handbooks.

Her numerous recognitions include the NLGJA Siegenthaler Award for commentary on National Public Radio. The San Francisco’s Women’s Heritage Museum nominated TAKING CHARGE as a Best Women’s Book; Amazon.com named TAKING CHARGE one of its “10 BEST BUSINESS BOOKS FOR WOMEN” and The Washington Post singled out FIRE IN MY SOUL for its top-listed, recommended books, "What Washingtonians are reading."

Dr. Lester is quoted as an expert by print media from The New York Times to Woman’s World. Her published work has been excerpted in publications as varied as Essence, Executive Female, legal journals and Unitarian newsletters. She has been a guest expert on Donahue, CNN, Caryl & Marilyn Show, G. Gordon Liddy, and SkyRadio, as well as hundreds of other radio and television programs. FIRE IN MY SOUL was featured on Terry Gross' top-rated "Fresh Air" Program.

A member of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, Lester is also a successful coach whose clients publish in national and regional media. She provides coaching and editing services for writers at all stages of the writing process, from "I've always wanted to be a writer" to "I need an experienced eye on my ready-to-go manuscript proposal or academic article."

Dr. Lester lives in Northern California and enjoys leading the full-time writing life she long envisioned.

Praise for her books comes from many quarters:

“Terrific writer!” Former Texas Governor Ann Richards (for The Future of White Men and other Diversity Dilemmas)

“Lucid…poignant.” Ms. (for Taking Charge)

“This refreshing book captures what most miss—insightful lessons from personal encounters with diversity. Lester is a talented storyteller who shares her learning in an unpretentious way.” Ann Morrison, author of The New Leaders (for The Future of White Men and other Diversity Dilemmas)

“Should be part of every school and business’ reading list.” Booklist (for Taking Charge)

Reviews for ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON: FIRE IN MY SOUL are equally enthusiastic.

“A well-framed memoir, satisfyingly candid while also abrim with political theory; a filigreed work that map’s Norton’s evolution as an advocate for human rights.”
-Kirkus Reviews

"Lester's thorough portrait is a compelling and inspiring homage to a legacy still in progress."
-Publisher's Weekly

"Norton's is a truly fascinating story, and I am delighted that Joan Lester has chosen to tell it in such an engaging way."
--Henry Louis Gates, Jr.