The Author
Joshua Sascha Thomas Schneeloch
About
The Favored Son chronicles my life as a black orphan growing up cloistered in a secluded Catholic convent in a bucolic German village, nestled on the border of France. The son of an unwed white German woman and an anonymous Black-American GI, the baby -- given up for adoption at birth -- was raised by nuns and knew nothing of his birth family, and therefore struggled to create an identity for himself in a world where he was unlike anyone else around him. This is a fascinating story which sheds light on the hidden world of the monastery and the behind the scenes world of European high fashion. It explores themes of race, spirituality, and emotional struggle and growth.
​
The Favored Son, How a Black Orphan Conquered Europe on His Way to America, is the first memoir of Joshua S. Th. Schneeloch. It chronicles his life as a black orphan growing up cloistered in a secluded Catholic convent in a bucolic German village, nestled on the border of France. The son of an unwed white German woman and an anonymous Black-American GI, the baby -- given up for adoption at birth -- was raised by nuns and knew nothing of his birth family, and therefore struggled to create an identity for himself in a world where he was unlike anyone else around him.
The book traces the most magical and unlikely story of how this biracial boy in an all-European world comes of age, and somehow becomes a top high-fashion model, music and media sensation in the bright lights of a newly liberated Europe, and eventually makes his way to the country of his birthright and dreams, America. Building on the lessons he has learned in the church and the world of media and business, he becomes a successful businessman after struggling to find a place to belong in America.
The story takes the reader on an intimate personal and spiritual journey across countries, continents and cosmopolitan capitals, exploring themes of self-discovery, race, ambition, liberation, loss, loneliness and longing, and a boy’s lifelong dream of coming to America, the land of the black father he could only fantasize about. The Favored Son takes the reader on an external whirlwind tour of the amazing places he experienced all over Europe, as well as the internal struggles to find his roots, his identity and his purpose in life.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Joshua Schneeloch became a face of Manhattan Beach in 2023. He is an accomplished and visionary leader in the insurance industry with a rich background in business development. His journey began with a move from Germany to the U.S., where he quickly rose to prominence as one of the top enhanced benefits consultants. Joshua's expertise lies in helping companies reduce their health insurance premiums through innovative cost-cutting and selling strategies.
​
With over 25 years of experience as a versatile sales executive, Joshua has worked extensively in Europe and the U.S. His commitment to identifying and developing insurance brokers and agents has led to the successful creation of multi-million-dollar wholesale and IFP strategies. He is known for fostering a high-performance, other-centered culture that emphasizes personal and professional growth, contributing to collective success.
​
During his tenure as the Senior Director of Broker Development at Dickerson Insurance Services, an Alera Group Company, Joshua achieved remarkable success. He built a broker team of nearly 1,500 salespeople and achieved double-digit sales growth, earning recognition as an industry "Rainmaker." His ability to navigate challenging market periods, redesign broker development programs, and implement effective commission structures showcased his leadership and strategic skills.
​
Recognizing a gap between agents and brokers, Joshua founded White Wing Insurance Solutions, LLC. This online platform addresses brokers' needs, offering tools for quoting, enrolling, commission tracking, and streamlined agency processes. As the Founder, Principal, and CEO, Joshua introduced a unique MGA model where brokers earn 100% commission while benefiting from comprehensive back-office support.
​
Volunteering
Joshua's contributions extend beyond his professional endeavors.
He served as the Industry Chair for Life Science and Healthcare at the German American Business Association, Southern California Chapter, from 2014 to 2018. Under his leadership, he organized forums and conferences that facilitated knowledge sharing and business opportunities between German and American industry leaders.
​
Awards
Throughout his career, Joshua has received notable awards, including the Who is Who Award of Germany's most influential strategic marketing authorities in 2002 and the Money 2.0 Outstanding Leadership Award in 2022 for his creative and innovative contributions to the field of finance.
Beyond his professional achievements, Joshua is a published author, with his memoir, "The Favored Son," set to be released in 2024. He holds a Master of Arts in Sales and Strategic Marketing from the University of Hamburg, Germany.
​
2024, Joshua, works as a visionary Leadership trainer and inspirational speaker alongside his wife, pioneering a world-class creative leadership program grounded in Energy Leadership. Their innovative approach stems from extensive global leadership research, positioning them as premier providers of leadership development. With firsthand experience, they understand the transformative impact of exceptional leaders. Joshua's journey embodies inspiration, guiding individuals to unlock their leadership potential and harness the power of energy for profound personal and professional growth. Through their program, they redefine leadership excellence, empowering individuals to lead with purpose, authenticity, and unwavering determination. Join Joshua on a journey towards impactful leadership that transcends boundaries and inspires greatness.
​
Fun-Fact - In his leisure time, Joshua enjoys sports, including NBA basketball and soccer. He is an enthusiast of water sports, hiking, swimming, and tennis. His interests also extend to fine food and music, rounding out a profile of a leader who is not only accomplished in his professional life but also enjoys a well-rounded and fulfilling personal life with his wife and five wonderful kids.
​
In memory of my time as a boy group member of In Color "Ring My Bell" music video by Nuclear Picnic. Music written and Produced by @Andrew White and Uli Fischer, Producer BMG-RCA Hamburg 1997
Secure Pre-Order rates for the Book
now on Amazon Kindle click the images below.
Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you well. Today, I want to bring to your attention an extraordinary journey of resilience, identity, and triumph in the face of adversity. I am, the author of "The Favored Son: How a Black Orphan Conquered Europe on My Way to America." My life story is a testament to the power of determination, self-discovery, and the human spirit.
My tale begins in a secluded Catholic convent in a picturesque German village on the border of France. As the son of an unwed white German woman and an anonymous Black-American GI, I was given up for adoption at birth, finding myself raised by nuns with no knowledge of his birth family. Imagine the struggles of creating an identity in a world where you have to stand out and the journey of self-discovery that follows.
"The Favored Son" takes you on a poignant journey through my life—a journey that leads me to become a top high-fashion model, a sensation in the world of music and media in liberated Europe, and eventually, to the realization of my dream to find my Dad in America. My story delves into the themes of race, spirituality, emotional struggle, and growth.
What makes my journey even more remarkable is my pursuit of finding my African American father and family roots. In my book, I candidly share the challenges, triumphs, and emotional roller coaster of reconnection. Inspired by my own experiences, I have founded a nonprofit to extend a helping hand to others facing similar issues. Through our organization, we not only provide essential resources and support but also actively work to reunite orphaned children with their families, fostering healing and rebuilding lost connections.
Your generous donation will make a meaningful impact on their lives, giving them the chance to overcome challenges, rediscover their identities, and pursue their dreams—just like I did. Every dollar brings us closer to creating a brighter future for these children and supporting their journey to find their roots.
Join us in making a difference. Your support matters, and together, we can empower these children to rise above their circumstances, reconnect with their roots, and build meaningful relationships. Click the link below to contribute and be a part of this transformative journey.
Thank you for your kindness and compassion. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of orphans and children in need.
Donate here "THE FAVORED SON"
With gratitude,
Joshua
In The Press
Las Vegas, Nevada, Monday, December 19, 5:30 PM at the Money 2.0 Conference
The Money 2.0 Conference, spotlighted the groundbreaking work of law, insurance and financial services profession visionaries.
During their exclusive recognition Trophy Ceremony, Joshua Schneeloch Founder and CEO of White Wing Insurance Solutions was honored for being a visionary leader and exemplary individual who has always been proactive at leveraging technology tools, optimizing the insurance business operations, and driving creative innovations in the insurance, human resources, and finance arenas.
JAKE RANDELL,
Money 2.0 Confernce
COMING UP SOON