This is a feature about Jonathan Anthony Burkett, the founder of Upstormed Inc. Upstormed News is owned by Upstormed Inc, the company he founded. Every fact below comes from his published memoir excerpt and his own websites.
November is a month built around gratitude. Veterans Day on Nov. 11 asks the country to thank those who served, and Thanksgiving later in the month asks families to count what they have. It is also a fitting time to look at the story of the man behind this newsroom, a story that his own site sums up in one word: perseverance.
A hard start
According to his website, Jonathan Anthony Burkett was born in Miami, Florida, in 1987 and was raised in Jamaica by his grandparents. His story page says he grew up in Westmoreland, Jamaica, lived there until age 6, then returned to Florida and went back to Jamaica every summer.
His early life, the site says, was shaped by economic hardship and serious health challenges, including seizures and brain surgery on January 30, 2006. In his memoir, Neglected But Undefeated, he writes about growing up without the love of his mother. The introduction, which is published in full on his site, describes illness, depression and a long season when he felt alone, with no car, no job and no family nearby.
It is a candid account. He credits counseling and other professional help with getting him through, alongside his faith. His site places a note with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline next to some of his writing, a reminder that help is available to anyone who is struggling.
Faith as the turning point
The theme he returns to most often is faith. His story page says he came through his 2006 brain surgery with his faith stronger than before. The line that appears on his homepage, his story page and his quotes page puts it simply:
“Faith is why I’m here today and faith is why I made it through.” — Jonathan Anthony Burkett
In the memoir’s introduction, he describes how writing became a turning point. He began to think more seriously about his life, and over time he became an entrepreneur. The introduction ends on a hopeful note, describing life as an adventure to be enjoyed.
From writing to a family of companies
That turn toward writing grew into a body of work. His books page lists the memoir, the ten-book Friends 2 Lovers series, the boxing novel Fighting To Become Champions and a set of life-lessons titles, several of which are listed as coming soon. Upstormed Inc says its publishing arm handles a catalog of 18 books.
Music came next. His site says he founded Upstormed Records to release his own songs. According to the label’s site, it has been releasing hip hop, soul and reggae since 2014, starting with the album One Life featuring reggae singer Ambelique. His single “Changes,” featuring Polancapop, was covered by indie music outlets in 2018, and he released the album Born To Make It and the EP Life As I Know It in 2024. The label describes its themes as change, faith and perseverance.
Today, Upstormed Inc describes itself as a parent company “growing companies for the better.” Its site lists five divisions:
- Upstormed LLC, a Miramar, Florida-based e-commerce business running online stores through upstormedshop.com
- Upstormed Records, the music label
- Upstormed Publishing, which publishes his books
- Upstormed Management, which runs Upstormed Real Estate
- Upstormed News, the newsroom at upstormednews.com, which includes Upstormed Family Magazine
The company’s site says growth only counts when it lifts the people around it, a value that echoes the story he tells about himself.
Gratitude and perseverance this season
Seasons of thanks can be hard for people who are carrying pain. That is part of why stories like this one matter in November. His memoir is honest about the low points, but it does not end there. His books page features a short line he offers to readers who are hanging on: “Hold on to hope, especially when it feels impossible.”
That message fits a month when the nation also honors resilience in uniform. Upstormed News has covered Veterans Day 2026 free meals and discounts and a new path for troops to train as chaplains, both stories about service, faith and support for people facing hard roads.
Why it matters for families
Many families know someone who had a rough start, a health scare or a season of feeling alone. A story of getting through, told plainly, can open a conversation at the Thanksgiving table about who helped us, what we are grateful for and how we can help someone else. If anyone in your family is struggling, calling or texting 988 in the U.S. connects to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Readers can find the full introduction to Neglected But Undefeated on his site, along with his books, music and press coverage.
Read more: As Bound With Them: A November Call to Remember the Persecuted Church
Learn more at jonathanburkett.com
Who has helped you persevere through a hard season? Tell us in the comments.
Sources: Jonathan Anthony Burkett, Home; Jonathan Anthony Burkett, “His Story”; Jonathan Anthony Burkett, “Neglected But Undefeated: Read an Excerpt”; Jonathan Anthony Burkett, “Books”; Jonathan Anthony Burkett, “Quotes”; Jonathan Anthony Burkett, “Music”; Jonathan Anthony Burkett, “Press”; Upstormed Inc, Home; Upstormed Records, Home (all accessed November 7, 2026)
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