Steven Whitehurst (born 1967) is an African American author, poet, and educator. He is a divorced father who currently resides in Calumet City, Illinois.
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Steven was born Steven Fondren into a single-parent family on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois; where he was raised by his mother Oneda Fondren, and grandmother Sarah Fondren. When he was young his mother married and her name became Oneda Whitehurst. Steven was adopted by the groom and his last name was also changed to Whitehurst. At this time he moved to, and subsequently grew up in, Harvey, Illinois. After graduating from Thornton Township High School in 1984, Steven attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he was a U.S. Air Force 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. While there Steven was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Fraternity. He then graduated Cum Laude from 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.
After college he worked for the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as an Investigator. 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. 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 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 "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. His book and movie reviews have appeared in numerous publications.