Locs, Not Dreads

Tonya Abari is a former teacher turned multigenre writer and editor. A National Endowment of the Humanities grant-funded award recipient and Language Matters facilitator, Tonya has given worldwide workshops and lectures on strategies for teaching the writings of Toni Morrison, Richard Wright, Margaret Walker, and other Black authors. An alumna of the historic Baltimore City College High School and the University of Maryland at College Park, Abari now calls Nashville home. In addition to SCBWI, EFA, and #BlackCreatorsinKidlit, she has participated in the 12x12 picture book challenge as well as creative nonfiction intensives with Carnegie Hall's NeOn Arts program and the Hurston Wright Foundation. When Tonya isn't writing or editing, she can be found reading; visiting historic sites; attempting a handstand; or in and around town with her spouse and daughter, both whose names also begin with "T."

Chasity Hampton has been a professional illustrator for more than 10 years. She started her illustration company, Whimsical Designs by CJ, with the hope of creating art for the world that made people feel that inner child that exists in all of us. Chasity lives in Atlanta, GA.