My Story

J.L. Kirkwood, the New York Times® and National Bestselling author, award-winning poet and certified relationship/career coach delivers a powerful, yet insightful book that bridges the seemingly unconnected worlds of job seeking and employment with dating and love. 

With more than 15 years of experience as a Career and Relationship Coach and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling, J.L. has been providing tips and tricks as well as best practices to help people discover their true passion and thrive in their personal and professional relationships. 

J.L. started his career in writing at Southern Illinois University Carbondale when he landed his own weekly column in one of the city’s biggest newspapers, The Daily Egyptian. Within weeks, J.L. had increased readership by 54-percent, drawing one of his biggest readers, the legendary John Gotti, who was housed in the Marion Correctional Facility. After college, J.L. moved back to Chicago to take his talents to the next level. There, he was introduced to Chris Michaels, the radio personality known for his “sexy voice” on Chicago’s #1 radio station, 107.5 WGCI – Whispers in the Dark segment. J.L. was called upon to deliver his renown spoken word to millions of listeners a week which quickly became a hit for the personality’s segment, leading J.L. to be the lead spoken word artist and contribute the spoke word intro for the show.

Capitalizing on his success, J.L. was quickly noticed by agents and publishers which lead to the release of his best-selling poetry book, Memoirs of a French Kiss and a tour that allowed him to connect directly with his audience around the country. Immediately after his successful tour, J.L. was back at work, but this time, contributing his message and voice to Love and Hip Hop star, Yandy Smith, and her popular digital magazine, Everything Girls Love. J.L. was the first male writer for the magazine, and provided a unique perspective for their audience. Co-signers for J.L. have been, Grammy Award winning author/poet, J.Ivy, the Co-Founder of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, Bruce George, HGTV’s House Hunter’s Director, Celia Bondauce, and many more. 

On the Career Coaching side, J.L. has been a hiring manager, certified senior career coach and one of the leading professors for DeVry University’s Career and Professional Development class. His students and faculty alike have applauded his approach in helping candidates connect to employers and find their purpose. J.L. is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and has also been on television shows such as: TLC’s Four Weddings, HGTV’s House Hunters, DeVry and Chase National commercials.

In The Press

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