About

JD Slajchert is a former athlete, a best-selling author of several books, a world renowned motivational speaker, a popular TV personality, a University Professor, a recent Emmy Nominee and philanthropist born and raised in Los Angeles, California. His debut novel, MoonFlower, was inspired by his biggest fan, a young boy named Luc, who passed away from Sickle Cell Disease during JD's time as a division one basketball player at UC Santa Barbara. He's given TEDx Talks, speeches, and motivational keynotes to organizations, nonprofits, universities and fortune 500 companies across the world including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Alliant Insurance Services, Duke University, The Roc Nation School, LeBron James' The SpringHill Company, TEDxUnityPark and was invited back to be a commencement speaker at his alma mater, UC Santa Barbara. As an Adjunct Professor at California Lutheran University, he leads a popular course on speaking and effectively mastering of your own story. He works directly with several nonprofits including The American Red Cross, NMDP, and The LucStrong Foundation, a nonprofit that supports children that are diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease. After losing his family's restaurant, Moonshadows, in The Palisades Fire, JD became a spokesperson and prominent figure in the media to help raise money for their staff. He's appeared in the LA Times, NBC News, Forbes, CBS News, Inside Edition and Spectrum News speaking about advocacy, writing, and much more. He's also written books titled, "Joining the Choir Invisible" and Darling, You're Not Alone and in 2025 was named to Los Angeles Magazines' notable list of their 25 outstanding, "Men of L.A."

Watch JDs Documentary

Writing

JD Slajchert's journey as a writer found its unlikely beginning through a series of letters back and forth between him and a good friend. These letters later became the backbone of his first story. When this process began, JD had no idea that he would end up writing the entire 400-page first draft completely by hand. This story eventually became his debut novel, MoonFlower. Following the books release, JD was then approached by an independent film financing group who was interested in adapting his book into a film. Following what has now become his unique modus operandi, JD also co-wrote by hand the original screenplay inspired by his debut novel, "Happy at You."

No matter how many people tell him otherwise, JD refuses to stop handwriting.

Speaking

JD Slajchert is a motivational speaker that inspires individuals from all different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds to follow their dreams. Drawing from experience, JD outlines how his best friend inspired him to change his lifestyle—how to appreciate life. This perspective inspired him to write a book and has since spent his time spreading the ideas from which he called upon in order to pen this novel. He discusses the themes of love, loss, race and equality and how all of these important ideals shape his every day life. As a former division one athlete, JD began his speaking career in the familiar realm of sport. Eventually branching out into the academic world, JD has spoken to over 100,000 people from all walks of life including the entire UCSB Class of 2022 & 2023. As an official Ambassador for The American Red Cross JD has represented them in cities all over California and been a keynote speaker at several sanctioned events. All the lessons JD’s learned as a speaker he now applies to his teaching at Cal Lutheran, and ultimately helped him land his opportunity to deliver a TEDx Talk.

JD vows that he will not stop until everyone knows the story about his best friend Luc Bodden.

You can check out some of his speeches here. And find his entire speaking resume here.

Philanthropy

On November 9th, 2018 just three weeks after his book was published, JD lost his home in Malibu to the Woolsey Fire. The next day JD and his team launched a fundraising campaign #MoonFlowers4Malibu where 100% of MoonFlower's sales were donated to the victims of the Woolsey Fire.

After partnering with several organizations including the American Red Cross and Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial and working with local politicians such as the Mayor of Calabasas and Mayor of Malibu, on March 3rd JD concluded this fundraising campaign by raising over $5,000 for the American Red Cross.

Since then, philanthropy has been cemented as a major pillar of JD's passions. In 2019, his philanthropic pursuits alone raised over $20,000 to support childhood illnesses, fire victims and educational programs.

JD Slajchert is the Director of Relationship Development for The LucStrong Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports children with Sickle Cell Disease. JD works directly with donor and community outreach for the foundation, facilitating better communication between their donors and children. In this role he also works directly with several other partners of The LucStrong Foundation including UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and City of Hope. The LucStrong Reading Club is expected to be implemented into each of these hospitals soon—a curricula centered around the book JD wrote about his best friend Luc Bodden.

For more information about The LucStrong Foundation or to donate please visit the LucStrong website.

After partnering with The American Red Cross on several fundraising events, including his own Turn The Page & #MoonFlowers4Malibu fundraisers, he was named an ambassador of the globally recognized non-profit in 2019. He has since represented them at over a dozen sanctioned American Red Cross events. He is also a member of the Clara Barton Society.

JD Slajchert became an official partner of NMDP (Formerly Known as Be The Match) to help inform thousands of people about all different types of blood disorders including Sickle Cell Disease. JD has used his book to help encourage people to join the registry by setting up a sign up code whereby texting "Moonflower" to 61474 will help you become a donor.