Ohio Author of 'The Bequest of John T. Ward' Unveils the Hidden Heroism Behind America’s Underground Railroad Legacy

This isn’t a retelling. It’s a resurrection

COLUMBUS, OH, UNITED STATES, May 12, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- History is being rewritten—truthfully, powerfully, and unapologetically—with the highly anticipated launch of The Bequest of John T. Ward, a groundbreaking new book by author and descendant Shanna Ward.

Set to ignite national conversations around identity, justice, and legacy, this electrifying work reveals the untold story of one of America’s forgotten heroes: abolitionist, Underground Railroad conductor, and pioneer of the oldest Black- owned business still operating today, John T. Ward.

Told with fierce reverence and vivid historical detail, The Bequest of John T. Ward takes readers on a harrowing journey through the perilous routes of the Underground Railroad during the 1840s and the Civil War. Ward’s daring missions to shepherd enslaved people to freedom are brought to life through meticulous research and the author’s deeply personal connection to her ancestor's defiant legacy.

“This is not just my family's story—it’s America’s story,” says Shanna Ward, who is the great, great, great granddaughter of this monumental figure. “John T. Ward’s bravery has been buried beneath history’s more famous names. But his legacy has never been more relevant. He embodies the spirit of resistance and reminds us what it means to fight for freedom—then and now.”

More than a historical biography, The Bequest of John T. Ward is a sweeping narrative that spans generations—from white European settlers to Black abolitionists—interweaving the 1619 Project, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the modern racial reckoning. It is a panoramic, emotional, and often shocking revelation of America’s complicated lineage through the lens of one family’s powerful truth. This chronicle more than meets the reader’s expectations, delving into the reality of a shameful past.

Shanna Ward invites readers, educators, and social justice advocates to discover this beacon of resilience, whose story has long been overshadowed—but no longer. With every page, The Bequest of John T. Ward demands remembrance, reflection, and a reclamation of history.

Come and join Author Ward for the unveiling of her compelling masterpiece at the following venues.

*June 21, 2025, Community Book Launch, Legacy and Liberty from 4 pm-8 pm, One at the Peninsula, Rooftop, 111 Belle St., Columbus, Ohio, which coincides with the yearly recognition of Juneteenth which honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday.

* June 22, 2025, at the Black Author book festival. Held at the MLK Library in Columbus, Ohio.

*The Columbus Book Festival, a 2-day event that celebrates a community of book lovers, Saturday, July 12, 2025, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, July 13, 2025, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Bequest of John T. Ward will be available starting on Juneteenth at www.bequest1820project.com.

About the Author – Shanna Ward:
Shanna Ward is a family historian and passionate advocate for preserving Black history and economic empowerment. A fifth-generation descendant of abolitionist John T. Ward, she has dedicated her life to uncovering and amplifying the voices of unsung heroes in Black history.

Shanna is also the author of a children’s book, titled “Little John T. Ward and the Quilted Code. Let Ward Do It.” Join Little John T. Ward on a journey of kindness and courage as he discovers the power of unity and friendship alongside his ponies Libby and Dom as he aids escaped slaves in finding their way to freedom. Available on Amazon.

Shanna Ward
The Bequest
+1 614-679-8193
info@bequest1820project.com