A new author in the area of children’s literature, Deborah Delois Harris published Amaris Great Adventures: The Magical Playground in October of 2018. Focusing on increasing the number of books featuring African Americans as the main characters, Deborah plans to write books that are fun for children and their parents, and culturally representative of African Americans and their diverse backgrounds.

Krysten Jackson is a Chicago-based writer and recent graduate of Northwestern University. When she's not reading, she spends most of her time thinking about weird language quirks. You can keep up with her activities on Twitter @applekrys.

Takisha Jacobs is a writer, editor, educator, and bibliophile who began writing professionally at age 17. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism and a master’s degree in the humanities with a concentration in African American literature. Based in Austin, she’s also the proud mother of an adorable, book-loving toddler, and the wife of a web developer.

Latonya Pennington is a prolific freelance pop culture critic and poet. They’ve written articles for places such as Gamercraft, Brian Mills Press, and Comics MNT. Their poetry has been published at The Asexual Journal, Color Bloq, and Fiyah Lit Magazine among others. You can follow them on Twitter @TonyaWithAPen.

Cassandra Rachel Veney is based in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a political scientist by training and is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of International Relations at the United States International University-Africa. She has published non-fiction scholarship on forced migration in Eastern Africa, human rights in Africa, gender in Africa, and US refugee and immigration policies on African and African descended refugees and immigrants.

Albert Williams is a lover of books and the world they offer up to him. As a former teacher of English, he is passionate about introducing people to the joys of reading.

Kendra Hale finds joy in spontaneity, music, international adventures, nature, volunteerism, and BIPOC-centered community spaces. Writing has long been the modality that encourages her to dream beyond the conventional. She is fiercely committed to Black liberation, healing justice, and anti-oppression.

Trishana J. Horton is the Editor of the Arts & Culture section for One Choice Magazine. She also curates monthly playlists for the Suite Talk Podcast. Through her company, Note to Note LLC, she shares stories about contemporary music history. Trishana is also a singer and songwriter.