Jaiya John

Jaiya John is an internationally recognized poet, author, and freedom worker whose life and work center on the liberation of the human spirit. Orphan-born on the ancient lands of the Puebloan people in New Mexico, Jaiya has dedicated his life to rehumanizing our world. As the founder of Soul Water Rising, he leads a mission to heal social wounds by eradicating oppression, donating thousands of his books and offering grants to displaced and vulnerable youth worldwide.

A prolific writer, Jaiya is the author of numerous transformative works, including Daughter Drink This Water, We Birth Freedom at Dawn, Fragrance After Rain, and Freedom: Medicine Words for your Brave Revolution. His words are not just written; they are spoken through his podcast, I Will Read for You, where he narrates his powerful writings.

Jaiya’s vision extends beyond the page. He founded The Gathering, a global initiative to revive traditional storytelling and communal gathering, fostering social healing and liberation through shared human experiences. A former professor of social psychology at Howard University, Jaiya has spoken to millions around the world, offering insights rooted in his profound understanding of race relations and human connection.