Today we’d like to introduce you to Jowan McKoy
Hi Jowan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2016, while working, or barely working, at a soda company factory, I found myself deep in thought: What can I do with my gift of writing? Music wasn’t a guaranteed path, so I needed something that could check three crucial boxes: give me a sense of purpose, give back to my culture, and create an income outside of my job.
For hours, I drove back and forth, turning this idea over in my head, waiting for inspiration to hit. And then, like lightning, Children’s books! I practically shouted it out loud, scaring the life out of my coworkers. After a quick round of apologies, I grabbed a pen and started writing. Fifteen minutes later, my first children’s book was born.
But writing was just the beginning. The journey to self-publishing took over a year and a half, thousands of dollars, and countless weekends sacrificed. Still, I made it. I became a published author, and My Favorite Balloon, which you can shamelessly find on Amazon and a bunch of random sites I’ve never heard of, was just the start of something bigger.
Growing up in Baltimore City, MD, my experience was a mix. I wasn’t deep in the “hood,” but I wasn’t in the “county” (our way of saying suburbia) either. That balance shaped me. I was street-smart enough not to get caught up in the wrong things but also aware enough to see the value of opportunities like college, even if I didn’t finish my first attempt at a degree.
So, writing and publishing My Favorite Balloon was the first time I truly created something of my own, something that gave me pride. The book teaches kids the importance of gratitude, a lesson I had to learn the hard way. Like many kids of my generation, I grew up without a father in the home. My mom, overcompensating, gave me everything she could afford, PlayStation games, Disney World trips, the works. But I never truly appreciated it. It wasn’t until later in life that I understood the value of gratitude, and that became part of my mission: to teach kids lessons that some adults don’t learn until it’s too late.
Then came Yasminah Abdullah-McKoy, my wife to be (5 years married now), who I met in, of all places, a Staples supply store. Now, BookofthedayJay, my child literacy brand, often collaborates with her speech therapy clinic, Total Speech Therapy, to support the community in countless ways. Fast forward through two states and three incredible kids (Amina, Amira, and Jasir), and BookofthedayJay has grown into something bigger than I ever imagined.
We now engage kids through live book readings, YouTube educational videos, and special events where I mix music, literacy, and physical activities to create unforgettable experiences for children across the U.S. In 2020, my family and I moved to Houston, TX, where we’ve expanded not just Total Speech Therapy, treating thousands of children and adults with speech and language differences, but also BookofthedayJay, where our tagline is simple but powerful: Read. Laugh. Learn. Play.
And we’re just getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey to success isn’t some smooth, paved highway, it’s a jagged, unpaved rock-bed of peaks and valleys. The challenges I’ve faced along the way, as I continue to push forward have been vast. Learning to balance being a new father and husband while still chasing personal goals, struggling to gain traction online, and pushing forward despite slow progress have all tested me in ways I never expected.
But the hardest part? Finding the WILL to keep going, even if only by inches. Life is already tough when you’re just trying to make ends meet—adding a dream on top of that, grinding year after year without immediate financial results, is a battle most dreamers know all too well. And yet, here I am, still pushing forward. Because the vision is worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Online, I’m best known for my Children’s Book Read-Alouds and child-friendly remixes of popular Hip-Hop songs, taking the beats kids love and making them fun and educationa on youtube “The Book of the Day With Mr. Jayl”.
In person, I’m most known for “My Favorite Balloon Day”—a high-energy experience where my children’s book becomes the gateway to interactive learning. Through physical activities, team-building exercises, and, of course, a live read-aloud, I create an engaging environment for kids to learn and grow. I typically bring this experience to schools, churches, childcare facilities, and outdoor festivals.
For bookings or inquiries, you can reach me via email at: bookofthedayjay@gmail.com.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people may not know that I recently picked up golf as a hobby, and when I say “picked up,” I mean I’ve been borderline obsessed. I spend pretty much all of my “free time” (and even some of my “busy time”) either watching, practicing, or figuring out how to get better.
Another fun fact? I probably know more random Hip-Hop facts than 99% of the population. Seriously, if there were a trivia showdown on rap history, I’d bet on myself every time.
And lastly, if you ever wondered about my relationship with pizza, let’s just say I’ve eaten enough slices that if you laid them end to end, they could probably stretch across America and back. No regrets.
Pricing:
- For pricing, please email bookofthedayjay@gmail.com
- Purchase My Favorite Balloon on Amazon
Contact Info:
- Website: https://totalspeechtherapy.com
- Instagram: @bookofthedayjay
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookofthedayJay
