MarklynSpeaks Books
Books that inspire change, challenge perspectives, spark meaningful conversations, and help people Laugh. Think. Grow. Connect.
Bring the Book. Bring the Conversation. Bring the Change.
Every Marklyn T. Johnson book is more than a book. It is a conversation starter, keynote topic, and workshop experience. Whether you’re looking for motivation, leadership development, communication skills, diversity conversations, or personal growth, these books provide the foundation for impactful presentations and workshops.
Pull Up A Chair: An Honest Conversation About Race in America
Most conversations about race end before they ever really begin. People get defensive, go quiet, or walk away. This book does the opposite. It pulls up a chair and asks you to sit down and stay in the conversation.
Built from real interviews and honest exchanges across race, age, and background, the book moves past talking points and into what people actually think, feel, and are afraid to say out loud. It is direct, human, and written to be discussed out loud rather than read alone.
Ideal Keynote Topics
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Race in America
- Courageous Conversations
- Belonging & Psychological Safety
- Listening Across Difference
- Building Inclusive Culture
Pairs With Workshop
Pull Up A Chair Workshop: A facilitated, small-group conversation that gives participants a safe structure to ask real questions, listen without defensiveness, and leave with language they can actually use.
The Honest Table: A leadership session on creating environments where people tell the truth about what they are experiencing at work.
Lessons From A Sh*t Talker
In life many of us are scared to follow our dreams. What if you are 35, stuck in a dead-end job, broke, and see nothing coming to save you? What if you simply said, “Forget it,” and decided to chase your dream?
Marklyn “MisterDirect” Johnson shares lessons learned from taking risks, creating opportunities, launching a radio show, and stepping onto a stand-up comedy stage. Readers discover how to identify goals, overcome fear, know their worth, and pursue opportunities with confidence.
Ideal Keynote Topics
- Motivation & Inspiration
- Student Success
- Goal Setting
- Career Reinvention
- Finding Your Purpose
- Overcoming Fear
Pairs With Workshop
Facebook Conversations: The Good, The Funny, The Ugly
Written from real social media interactions, this book explores what happens when people hide behind keyboards and communicate without filters. Funny, awkward, insightful, and brutally honest, these conversations reveal truths about human behavior and communication.
Ideal Keynote Topics
- Communication Skills
- Social Media Culture
- Digital Civility
- Conflict Resolution
- Human Connection
Pairs With Workshop
I Like Black People: The Good Ones!!!
Following the killing of George Floyd, millions witnessed a reality many Black Americans had been discussing for decades. This book explores race, perception, bias, and the uncomfortable conversations many people avoid.
It is designed to challenge assumptions, encourage dialogue, and help audiences better understand lived experiences that often go unseen.
Ideal Keynote Topics
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Race Relations
- Bias Awareness
- Cultural Understanding
- Building Empathy
- Difficult Conversations
Pairs With Workshop
Change The Formula: A Conversation Around Change and Fear
Change doesn’t happen because we want it to happen. Change happens because we decide to take action.
This book provides a practical framework for identifying obstacles, facing fear, reframing limiting beliefs, and pushing through toward meaningful growth.
Ideal Keynote Topics
- Leadership Development
- Change Management
- Fear & Growth
- Resilience
- Personal Development
- Accountability
Pairs With Workshop
Change The Formula Workshop: Built around the Identify, Face, Reframe, and Push Through framework.
FEAR: Face Everything And Rise: Helping participants understand fear and transform it into forward momentum.
Bring MarklynSpeaks To Your Organization
Book Marklyn T. Johnson for keynotes, workshops, student programs, leadership events, communication training, diversity conversations, and personal growth programs.
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