Steven was born Steven Fondren on March 3, 1967 into a single-parent family in one of Chicago's dangerous Southside housing projects; where he was raised by his mother Oneda Fondren, and grandmother Sarah Fondren. After his mother married and changed her name to Oneda Whitehurst, Steven was adopted by the groom and his last name was also changed to Whitehurst. He later moved to, and subsequently grew up in, Harvey, Illinois; initially a nice community which soon became one of Illinois' crime and drug capitols. In Harvey he was a boyscout patrol leader, eventually falling just short of Eagle Scout. He attended and graduated from Lowell-Longfellow Elementary School in 1980. After graduating from Thornton Township High School in 1984, Steven attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he was a U.S. Airforce ROTC student. He moved on to become a double degree high honors graduate of Thornton Community College (now South Suburban College) with degrees in history and geography; and later a Cum Laude graduate of Chicago State University with a B.A. in history and a minor in political science. Steven later returned to Chicago State University to pursue additional educational credits in the history/ethnic studies graduate degree program. His political activities included participating in civil rights marches for racial/social justice; working as a canvasser for numerous political campaigns including those of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Senator Carol Moseley Braun, and Judge Eugene Pincham; and being appointed to and briefly serving as the Illinois Solidarity Party's 2nd Congressional District State Central Committeeman and Thornton Township Committeeman.
After college he worked for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as an Investigator. While there he received numerous awards for innovative ideas, and was chosen to be a member of the Chicago branch office Equal Employment Opportunity Committee. In 1991, Steven returned to his alma mater -- South Suburban College -- as the Academic Skills/Transition Advisor for the Student Support Services TRIO Grant Program, which served disadvantaged students. In 1994, Steven was promoted to an administrative post as the college's Director of Student Development, where he initiated, developed, and oversaw the school's first transfer articulation agreement with a historically Black college/university - Wilberforce University. In the position of Director of Student Development he managed seven (7) departments, both in academic and student support areas -- including the Student Support Services Grant Program that he'd previously worked for. In 1996, Steven was forced to retire due to health issues.
Steven is the author of the highly acclaimed book "WORDS FROM AN UNCHAINED MIND," and contributed to the Black Bestseller "RODNEY KING AND THE L.A. REBELLION: Analysis & Commentary By 13 Independent Black Writers." Steven was also among those featured on the nationally televised program HEROES: A Triumph Of Spirit, Vol.4, which highlighted positive individuals in the African American community. In addition to numerous reviews, he has written pieces supporting Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, pieces calling for universal healthcare in America, and for the legalization of marijuana. He is divorced, and the father of a daughter named Bajani Anise Whitehurst.
Accomplishments: New Scriblerus Society Creative Excellence Award, 1994 Malcolm X Award for Self-Actualization, 1995 Hero Award, Who's Who Among African-Americans, Who's Who In America, Who's Who In Writers, Editors & Poets
"WORDS FROM AN UNCHAINED MIND is one of the most unique books of our time! This treatise cuts across ethnic and class lines, and strikes at the ills of U.S.A. society with a force and emotion reminding the reader of the positive activism of the 1960's! A reading of his book brings to mind, many times, the potential of Mr. Whitehurst to become one of the great writers in the next century!"
--YOUR BLACK BOOKS GUIDE
"With his first book [WORDS FROM AN UNCHAINED MIND], Steven Whitehurst has added his name to the literary world's ever-growing roster of African-American talent! The author's grasp of the problems facing American racial groups provides a ray of hope for positive change and announces a fresh alternative to future generations. This is a book for humanity!"
--MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION
"This book [RODNEY KING AND THE L.A. REBELLION: Analysis & Commentary By 13 Independent Black Writers] is a compilation of works from promising writers...who lead us into the collective soul of an oppressed people who've reached their boiling point. They have produced a raw power seldom experienced in literature today!"
--ECLECTIC BOOK REVIEWS
