Meet DJuana Okotete of Chicago

Today we’d like to introduce you to DJuana Okotete.

Hi DJuana , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey really started with writing long before it started with publishing. As a child, writing became an outlet for me. I leaned heavily into poetry to help navigate traumatic experiences, and I often escaped into fiction worlds when reality felt heavy. I began writing about things I felt, things I noticed, and the emotions I didn’t always know how to express out loud. Writing gave me both freedom and healing, and I don’t think I realized then how much it would shape my future.
My official professional journey, though, truly began in education. I’ve worked in almost every area of education: Montessori, urban public schools, private schools, faith-based schools, suburban schools, and rural schools, and through every experience, one thing became very clear to me: representation matters deeply in education.

As a teacher, I saw so many children, especially Black children, who were brilliant, imaginative, and full of potential, but they rarely saw themselves reflected in the books they were reading. I noticed students becoming more engaged when lessons connected to their culture, families, experiences, and communities. That realization planted the seed for what would eventually become DORead.

I started writing children’s books because I wanted students to feel seen. I wanted them to experience stories that celebrated everyday Black joy, family, imagination, and excellence in authentic ways. My books, like Destined For Greatness and The Bead Manager, were created to inspire confidence, literacy, and self-worth while also creating meaningful reading experiences for families and classrooms.

Over time, what began as writing books evolved into something much larger. DORead became not just a publishing company, but an educational movement centered around literacy, culture, creativity, and community. We now focus on creating culturally responsive books, educational resources, professional development, and learning experiences that help schools better connect with students.

As both an educator and author, I believe literacy is life-changing. Reading opens doors, but children read differently when they feel connected to what’s on the page. My goal with DORead has always been to bridge that gap — to create stories and educational experiences that empower children to dream bigger, think deeper, and see themselves as destined for greatness.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Here’s a thoughtful and honest response that sounds personal, resilient, and professional while staying aligned with your story:

It definitely has not been a completely smooth road, but I think every challenge helped shape both me and DORead into what it is becoming today.

One of the biggest struggles was simply navigating spaces where culturally responsive and representative literature was not always prioritized or understood. There were moments when I had to advocate heavily for the importance of children seeing themselves reflected in books, curriculum, and educational experiences. Sometimes people see diverse books as an “extra” when, in reality, representation is essential to student engagement and confidence.

Another challenge was balancing multiple roles at once. I was teaching full-time while writing, illustrating concepts, building a business, creating curriculum, and trying to learn the publishing world from the ground up. Publishing is far more complex than people realize. You’re not just creating a book — you’re learning marketing, branding, distribution, production, networking, and entrepreneurship all at the same time.

Financially, there were challenges too. Building something meaningful often requires investing in yourself before other people fully see the vision. There were seasons where I had to continue pushing forward even when resources were limited or opportunities felt slow to come. But I’ve always believed that purpose requires persistence.

Personally, there were also moments of doubt. When you create work that is deeply connected to your experiences, your culture, and your heart, it can feel vulnerable putting it into the world. But every time I would visit a school, hear a child connect to one of my stories, or watch students become excited about reading, it reminded me why I started.

What kept me grounded throughout the journey was remembering that DORead is bigger than me. It’s about creating spaces where children feel seen, inspired, valued, and capable of greatness. That mission has carried me through every obstacle.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the heart of my work, I am an educator, author, and creative who is deeply passionate about literacy, representation, and creating meaningful learning experiences for children. Through DORead, I specialize in culturally responsive children’s literature, educational consulting, literacy engagement, and community-centered learning experiences.

On the publishing side, I create children’s books that center Black joy, imagination, culture, family, and confidence in ways that feel authentic and relatable. My stories are designed not only to improve literacy but to help children feel seen and valued. I’m especially intentional about creating books that spark conversations, encourage self-expression, and make reading feel exciting and personal for students.

Beyond publishing, I also work closely with schools and educators through professional development, curriculum support, coaching, and literacy-based programming. Because I’ve worked across so many educational settings, from Montessori to urban public schools to private and faith-based education, I bring a very layered and practical perspective to the work. I understand the realities teachers face, but I also understand the power education has to transform lives when students feel connected to what they’re learning.

I think what I’m most known for is creating experiences that blend education, culture, creativity, and community. Whether it’s through books, literacy events, student engagement, or educational initiatives, I want learning to feel alive and meaningful.

What I’m most proud of is the impact. Seeing children light up when they recognize themselves in a story, watching reluctant readers become engaged, hearing parents say their child finally enjoys reading, or seeing students feel empowered by something I created — those moments mean everything to me. I’m also proud that DORead has grown from a personal passion into a mission-driven company with the potential to impact schools, families, and communities on a much larger scale.
What sets me apart is that my work is deeply rooted in lived experience. I’m not creating from theory alone — I create from years inside classrooms, from personal experiences, from observing children closely, and from understanding the importance of representation firsthand. I approach literacy not just as reading words on a page, but as a tool for identity, confidence, healing, imagination, and opportunity.
I also think there’s something unique about the way I blend storytelling with education. My background as both an educator and writer allows me to create work that is academically meaningful while still feeling emotionally authentic and creative. Everything I build through DORead is designed with both the child and the community in mind.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would say resilience has been one of the most important qualities contributing to my success. Building something meaningful requires the ability to keep going even when things are uncertain, difficult, or moving more slowly than you hoped. There were many moments where I had to continue believing in the vision for DORead before other people fully understood it, and resilience helped me stay committed to the mission.

I also think authenticity has played a major role in my journey. I’ve never wanted to create simply for trends or recognition. Everything I write and build comes from real experiences, real observations, and a genuine desire to impact children and communities in meaningful ways. People can feel when work comes from a sincere place, and I think that authenticity helps DORead connect with both students and educators.

Another important characteristic is my ability to observe and listen deeply. As an educator, I’ve spent years paying attention to how children learn, what excites them, what challenges them, and what makes them feel seen. That attentiveness influences everything I create, from books to literacy experiences to educational programming.

Ultimately, I believe my success comes from combining purpose with persistence. Even through challenges, I’ve remained committed to creating work that empowers children, celebrates culture, and encourages literacy in a way that feels personal and impactful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/doread
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_doread/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DOReadllc/