John D. Marshall is a Louisville Kentucky native.  As a young student he always doodled during lectures. Often his doodles served him as notes and cues to learning. Even while studying for his dissertation, he doodled and sketched things to help him remember the content.

As an educator, speaker, consultant,  activist, and community leader, Marshall unapologetically addressed varying aspects of Black life. As a proud father of three Black girls, a twin, husband, and son, Marshall recalls and/or reinvents moments in his life to share with any that appreciate simple, political, joyful, sad, intentionally imperfect, and historical moments.

More known for his work and advocacy for racial equity in public education, Marshall has finally decided to share a layer of himself that he admits is personal and therapeutic. Further, Marshall views his doodles and sketches as learning opportunities and images for introspection..