Tyrese Linder is from Southeast DC. In the future, he wants to work in the fire department. He enjoys playing instruments, reading, and games. He enjoys anything honestly if it’s fun. His hobbies are music, chilling with books, movies, or TV shows. He wants people to dig deeper.
Read MoreTrevaughn Boomer is from Southeast DC. In the future, he wants to be a successful forensic scientist. He enjoys hanging with his friends, playing sports, and playing games. His hobbies are playing football, going out with friends, and eating. He wants people to know that he’s a quiet and hardworking person who loves his family.
Read MoreSyamyia Beach is from Southeast DC. She wrote her poem for The Ballou We Know because she wanted to show the people of the DMV area that DC students can overcome the obstacles that they face and the daggers that are thrown at them. In the future, she wants to become an interior designer. Her hobbies are drawing and designing. She wants people to know that she is a girl from Southeast who sees the light in every situation and takes that inspiration and runs with it.
Read MoreMy name is Tatiana Robinson (she/her). I was born and raised in Southeast, DC. I wrote my story, “A Little King Is on the Rise,” when I was 20 years old. This is my second book with Shout Mouse Press, as I am also a co-author of The Ballou We Know (2019). I am currently a junior at the University of Miami and am a triple major in Interactive Media, Broadcast Journalism, and Communication Studies: Public Advocacy Track. I am involved in several things on campus, with my favorites being NAACP and University of Miami Television. I am a firm believer in being the change I want to see, so with my future goals, I plan to come back and pour into my village. My future plans include being on television and being the Mayor of DC.
Read MoreAndrenae Brown was a senior at Ballou in Washington, DC when she wrote The Ballou We Know. She likes to write, cook, and plan events. She wants to be an entrepreneur and possibly open up her own restaurant. She’d also like to start a mentoring organization that mentors up-and-coming chefs. She wanted to be a part of The Ballou We Know to get her opinion out about all the changes happening at Ballou. She wants readers to see the different personalities of the students at Ballou and not to focus on the stereotypical things that people here. Being a part of this book helped her learn to open up more and to let people hear her point of view. It allows people to get to know more about her as a person.
Read MoreMe’Chelle Jones wrote The Ballou We Know to show that Ballou students are powerful and bright enough to determine their own future. In the future she wants to be a counselor to give back to kids like Ballou students. She enjoys helping people and expressing herself. Her hobby is cheering. She wants people to know that she is strong, determines, and loves herself.
Read MoreJada Byrd is from Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou We Know to further explain the real Ballou. In the future she wants to become a successful criminal lawyer. She enjoys social media, writing music, and singing. She wants people to know that she is just a young black girl learning her way. Before you judge someone or something, check the reality of your life and the lives around you.
Read MoreGabriel Clark is from Maryland. He wrote The Ballou We Know because he wanted to share what it’s like for the students at Ballou. In the future, he wants to give back to the youth. His hobbies are working out and writing. He wants people to see his ambition.
Read MoreShaheed Salim is from Washington, DC. He wrote The Ballou We Know because he wanted everyone to hear their point of view of what Ballou is like. In the future, he wants to go to a four year university and play college football and major in math. He enjoys playing video games and football and reading. He wants people to know that he’s hard working and outgoing.
Read MoreAniyah Lester is from Maryland, but she grew up in Southeast. She wrote The Ballou We Know because she wanted to share her true story her own way. In the future she wants to own her own clothing business and become a motivational speaker. She enjoys working and learning new things. Her hobbies are shopping and giving advice. She wants people to know that she’s a go-getter and doesn’t stop.
Read MoreAhmaiya Pleze is from Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou We Know to tell her story. In the future, she wants to become a forensic scientist and give back to her community. She enjoys doing great things for herself and influencing others.
Read MoreAyah means ‘sign from God’ or ‘miracle’ and Noor means ‘light.’ From Ayah’s mother’s side she is Afghan, and from her father’s side she’s American.
Read MoreMy name is Bilal (he/him). I was a senior in high school when I wrote my first book with Shout Mouse Press. I am currently a senior at the University of Maryland and am figuring out what's next. I'm excited to just take the world on, one day at a time – whether it be finding employment, learning something new, or working on another project with Shout Mouse, I'm here for it!
Read MoreSamaa Eldadah was a senior at Sandy Spring Friends School in Sandy Springs, MD when she wrote I am the Night Sky. High school taught her a lot about the power of youth voices, and one of her immediate goals is to translate the organizing she’s done in school into programming for her Muslim peers. Her long-term goals include college, potentially, law school, and making a local political impact.
Read MoreNoor Saleem was a junior at National Cathedral School in Washington, DC when she wrote I am in the Night Sky. During her free time she enjoys writing poetry, playing soccer, and relaxing to music.
Read MoreImaan Shanavas was a junior at Poolseville High School when she wrote I am the Night Sky. She serves as the president of the Muslim Student Association at her school, which holds food drives and food packaging for the poor. They also coordinate discussions where Muslims and non-Muslims can have a safe space to discuss Islam and address misconceptions.
Read MoreSalihah “Sasa” Aakil was a sophomore in high school in Silver Spring, Maryland when she wrote I am the Night Sky. She enjoys writing, painting, doing pottery, and talking to people. She likes hunting down stories, asking people about their experiences, and creating art after them: sometimes for healing, sometimes for remembering, sometimes for rebellion.
Read MoreIman was a freshman in high school when she wrote her first book I am the Night Sky. She was 18 when she wrote What It Cost Us. She’s currently a student at the University of Pennsylvania, studying International Relations and exploring the great Philly food scene. After she graduates, she would love to be a diplomat living in DC and working at the State Department.
Read MoreLeyla Rasheed was a freshman at the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, MD where she wrote I am the Night Sky. She enjoys playing soccer, biking, writing, and ceramics. She is an active member of the Islamic Community Center of Potomac.
Read MoreRuqayyah Aakil was a homeschooled senior in Silver Spring, Maryland when she created art for I am the Night Sky. She enjoyes photography, puzzles, binge-watching TV shows, and music. She likes going outdoors – not to go hiking or anything like that – but just to breathe the fresh air and take in the world, whether it is through her eyes or the viewfinder of a camera.
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