John DeSantis

Investigative Journalist & Author on Race, Labor & Justice; Author of "The Thibodaux Massacre"; Contributor to New York Times & Washington Post

Houma, LA, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info
Anti-Racism, Author, Civil Rights, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Family & Parenting, Government, Journalist, Law, News & Media, Non-Fiction Authors, Social Activism, Social Justice
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John DeSantis Biography

John DeSantis is a journalist and author whose career has focused on social justice, racial history, and criminal justice reporting. He began his career covering homicides in New York during the 1970s and 1980s for major wire services and later reported on Brooklyn courts for United Press International. DeSantis studied criminal justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, and his work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and other publications.

One of the cases DeSantis covered extensively was the murder of Yusuf Hawkins in New York City, which led to his first book, "For the Color of His Skin: The Murder of Yusuf Hawkins and the Trial of Bensonhurst." The case, which highlighted racial divisions in the city, is also chronicled in the HBO film "Storm Over Brooklyn." His second book, "The New Untouchables: How America Sanctions Police Violence," examines systemic issues in law enforcement.

DeSantis has worked as a staff reporter at newspapers in the New York Times regional chain and at publications in Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi, and California. His reporting has often centered on social and criminal justice issues, including investigations into the Ku Klux Klan on the Mississippi coast. He provided coverage of Hurricane Katrina for the New York Times in New Orleans and reported on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill for the Houma Courier, focusing on its impact on Louisiana fishing communities. DeSantis has served as senior staff writer at the Times of Houma and as city editor at the Thibodaux Daily Comet.

DeSantis is the author of "The Thibodaux Massacre: Racial Violence and the 1887 Sugar Cane Labor Strike," which explores a suppressed event in American labor and racial history. The book includes previously unpublished information about the incident and contributed to official recognition of the massacre by the city of Thibodaux and Lafourche Parish. DeSantis received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Nicholls State University for his contributions to the field.

A recipient of awards from the Louisiana Press Association, the Associated Press Managing Editors Association, and other news organizations, DeSantis resides in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. He has reported extensively on social justice and race relations across several states, providing insight into the intersections of race, labor, and justice in the United States.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/02/2026.

John DeSantis Speaking Topics

    • Untold stories about race relations in Louisiana. (Based on the most recent book, to be released in November)
    • Do you know where your shrimp comes from? How a Yankee reporter came to live in Cajun fishing communities, what he learned and what he can share with you. Also covered Hurricane Katrina and many other storms, so prepared for answers on those topics.

See All Videos »

For the Color of His Skin: The Murder of Yusuf Hawkins and the Trial of Bensonhurst
For the Color of His Skin: The Murder of Yusuf Hawkins and the Trial of Bensonhurst
The New Untouchables: How America Sanctions Police Violence
The New Untouchables: How America Sanctions Police Violence
Thibodaux Massacre, The: Racial Violence and the 1887 Sugar Cane Labor Strike
Thibodaux Massacre, The: Racial Violence and the 1887 Sugar Cane Labor Strike

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  • What topics does John DeSantis speak about?

    John DeSantis is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Anti-Racism, Author, Civil Rights, DEI, Diversity & Inclusion, Family & Parenting, Government, Journalist, Law, News & Media, Non-Fiction Authors, Social Activism, Social Justice

  • Where does John DeSantis travel from?

    John DeSantis generally travels from Houma, LA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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John DeSantis is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as . The estimated speaking fee range to book John DeSantis for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. John DeSantis generally travels from Houma, LA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Christopher F. Rufo, Ijeoma Oluo, Jamira Burley, Dorothy Roberts and Wesley Lowery. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling John DeSantis for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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