John Winston, a devoted husband and father of two, is deeply rooted in Detroit. A proud alumnus of Cooley High School, he often describes himself as a "Cardinal for life." His dedication to service is demonstrated through his tenure in the United States Army.

John's academic journey includes a diverse educational background. He holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Wayne State University and an MA and MFA in Creative Writing from Wilkes University. He is also a graduate of The Recording Institute of Detroit and The Motion Picture Institute of Michigan.

In his professional music career, John has collaborated with Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster and industry titan Clive Davis. He has been an Arista and Polygram Records recording artist, appearing on shows like Soul Train and Apollo Live. His songwriting and production credits include work with notable artists such as Gerald Levert and Gerald Alston.

During Black History Month of the pandemic, John was honored by the Michigan Department of Education and the Library of Michigan as an outstanding African American author, and the first book in his middle-grade/YA book series has been recognized as an exceptional literary work.

John's commitment to education is evident in his roles at Dossin, where he also serves as the Dean of Culture, PBIS Coach, Building Assessment and Technology Coordinator, and Athletic Director. He was previously recognized as the DPSCD Physical Education Teacher of the Year and nominated for Health Teacher of the Year. He is also a member of the Physical Education and Health Advisory Board.

John's philosophy is founded on the belief in kismet—everything happens for a reason. Before joining Dossin for the 2023-2024 school year, he was the Athletic Director at Renaissance High School, his wife’s alma mater. He is passionate about discovering and nurturing the unique gifts within each student, a mission he prioritizes above all.

One of John's students best captured his impact, saying, "He is the coolest dude, and I love going to his gym class. I learn more than just gym stuff; he teaches me about life."