Meet the Author

S.J. Mackenzie writes from the intersection of survival and spiritual reclamation. A filmmaker and storyteller by trade, her path was forged under the mentorship of the legendary Alex Haley (Roots, The Autobiography of Malcolm X), whose personal letter of support paved her way to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where she studied Dramatic Writing, Film, and TV.

Her professional career is a testament to the power of resilience. As an Executive Director, Samona has overseen programs serving over 22,000 youth and families, a dedication to community that earned her the 2025 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award under the Biden-Harris Administration.

A seasoned creator behind the lens, she has produced two feature-length films, directed numerous shorts, and written four screenplays. Her writing is inherently cinematic, a skill she uses to "light the path from draft to delivery" for herself and others.

Her debut memoir, Somebody Touched Me, is a raw, dual-narrative journey exploring childhood trauma and her life-altering 2016 brain surgery. When she isn’t writing or advocate-building, you can find her traveling the globe, immersing herself in new cultures, and finding healing in the quiet corners of the world. She lives and works by the belief that while trauma may leave a mark, healing gives you a voice.