Rio Cortez

Rio Cortez is the New York Times bestselling author of picture book The ABCs of Black History and adult poetry collection Golden Ax, which was longlisted for the 2022 National Book Award in poetry and the PEN Open Book Award. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, she now lives, writes, and works in Harlem, New York.

Ashleigh Corrin is an award-winning children's book illustrator. Her debut, Layla's Happiness written by Mariahdessa Ekere Tallie, received the 2020 Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Award, as well as the Writer Honor. She also illustrated The River Is My Ocean by Rio Cortez. Her appreciation for philanthropic work and acts of service shaped her dream of creating art to uplift and inspire youth and the young at heart. Ashleigh lives in Virginia with her daughter and husband. More of her work can be viewed at AshleighCorrin.com or on Instagram @Ashleigh_Corrin.