Juliana is from Mexico and has four children: Julian, Mia, Emelia, and Lyanna. She recently graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine where she studied Biomedical Informatics. She enjoys drawing and reading with her kids. Juliana is excited to share a slice of life of Latino culture and hopes this book will help kids connect with their cultural heritage.
Read MoreEdith is from Honduras and has a son named Keyden who is in kindergarten. She currently works as a medical assistant and studies medical sonography at Northern Virginia Community College. Edith loves reading and running. She enjoys reading with her son and hopes other parents will enjoy reading this book together with their children, too.
Read MoreAraceli is from Honduras and is a mother to four children: Alena, Bryan, Carlos, and Ismael. She is a student at University of the District of Columbia where she studies Human Development. Araceli wrote this book to teach her children about their heritage, and to show them that they can do anything. She never thought she would be an author and is excited to share this book with her children — and with you!
Read MoreChae is a second-generation Korean-American and a parent attending nursing school. Being a young single mom and going back to school after having her son was challenging. She wants to encourage all the young mothers out there to believe in yourself and to celebrate where you are right now.
Read MoreSinnah is the youngest of three siblings and immigrated to the U.S. from Sierra Leone in 2001. She is currently pursuing her bachelors in Family and Consumer Science. As a young mother to two amazing children, Romeo and Laila, it was important to her to write a story that honored the diversity of mothers. She is so happy she had the opportunity to write this book to encourage mothers who are underrepresented in children’s books. She wants you to know that anything is possible as long as you believe in yourself.
Read MoreDaysha was born and raised in P.G. County, Maryland, and is the mother of two boys, Dakari and Dakai. She is currently a student at Bowie State University where she majors in theater and dance. For fun, she likes to travel and to model. Daysha wrote this book to help children get through the rough days in daycare apart from their mothers. She hopes this book helps mothers and their babies cope together!
Read MoreIsayanna, better known as Izi, is a proud Hispanic woman with two boys, Elijah and Lexson. She currently attends the University of the District of Columbia where she majors in social work. She enjoys nature walks and planning fun activities for her kids. Izi wrote this book to let children know that no matter where your mommy is—whether it be at school or at work—she does it for you to have a better future with many opportunities. This is her first book and she hopes you enjoy reading it as much as she enjoyed writing it for you!
Read MoreEmely is a first-generation Salvadoran-American and a recent graduate of the University of Maryland. She is a mom to a beautiful young lady, Ms. Mia. She enjoys artistry through painting and makeup. Where Could Mama Be? is her first book ever. Emely wrote this book for the mommies and kiddos who struggle a bit during drop-off. To the kiddos: The time apart is temporary. While you wait for us, have fun and make friends! To the mommies: However you may feel, it is okay; you are not alone. No one is perfect but you are more than enough for your child!
Read MoreTayla is a recent graduate of Trinity Washington University and the mother of two beautiful daughters, Madison and Chloe. She was raised alongside her two brothers, Tyler and Treavon, by her grandparents, Jeanette and Bennie. They impressed upon her the importance of community love, and she wanted to share that in her first children’s book.
Read MoreSholachauntel is a recent graduate of Trinity Washington University and the mother of a 4-year-old boy named Sebastian. She is a Washington, DC native and is currently pursuing a masters in Black Studies at Morgan State University. This is her first book. Shola wrote this book to depict the early years of being a teen mother, raising her son with the help of her community.
Read MoreGrowing up in a predominantly African-American community in Washington, DC, Sarah understands the importance of having the support of a village. She was raised by an extended family of neighbors, teachers, and friends of the family.
Read MoreIn March 2019, Halim was resentenced under DC’s IncarcerationReduction Amendment Act. He was released after serving 22 years in adult prisons beginning at age 16. Halim has been awarded the HalcyonArts Lab and Echoing Green fellowship awards. He has written and published 11 books of poetry and nonfiction, and is a professional artist. Halim lives with his wife and their young daughter. His purpose is to travel and share his message of love with the world through spoken word and visual arts.
Read MoreCraig served 22 years in prison from the age of 17. After release, he became the Free Minds Congressman John Lewis Fellow, and now works full-time on staff, providing peer support for other formerly incarceratedFree Minds members and assisting them with successfully navigating reentry. He was an instrumental advocate for the passage of DC’s SecondLook Amendment Act, which offers reconsideration to individuals who were given extreme sentences as young adults. Craig plans to pursue a career as a youth mental health practitioner.
Read MoreRafael served nearly 11 years in prison starting at the age of 16 before being granted compassionate release due to health complications during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is enjoying time with his family, studying the stock market, and working for his mother’s event planning company. He plans to continue his college studies to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business information technology.
Read MoreAfter being sentenced in the adult system at the age of 17, Jordan is now a sophomore in college, studying business entrepreneurship. He also serves as a Poet Ambassador for Free Minds’ violence prevention initiative, On the Same Page, sharing his story with youth across the city. He has testified numerous times in front of the DC Council to advocate for amore equitable and humane legal system. Jordan plans to start his own business after he graduates—possibly a clothing and sneakers shop—as well as continue to advocate for DC youth.
Read MoreEyone was incarcerated as an adult at the age of 17 and served 17 years in prison before being released in 2010. He is the author of 12 books. He works as a transformative mentor and violence prevention specialist with Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. He is a prisoners’ rights and juvenile justice advocate, and a writing coach for Free Minds.
Read MoreCheleta is a published poet. She works full-time as a mail handler with the US Postal Service. As one of the founding members of The WIRE(Women Involved in Reentry Efforts), Cheleta’s passion is to provide social support and life skills training to women in prison who are dealing with anger issues as a result of trauma. She speaks on justice issues at conferences across the country.
Read MoreAt the age of 17, Nick was sentenced to adult prison. He now works full-time as a community relations liaison. He is a devoted father to his young son. A published poet, Nick has also written Watch Lil’ Moe Go-Go, a children’s picture book celebrating the beauty and inclusivity of DC’s official music.
Read MoreLuis, who was deported after serving 10 years beginning at age 16, now lives in a large Mexican city where he works full-time as a call center agent for an internet company. He also provides translation services for Free Minds’ Spanish-speaking book club. He is saving up to enroll in flight school. His dream is to become an international commercial pilot, flying routes across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He especially wants to visit Dubai.
Read MoreAntwon is incarcerated in a high-security US Penitentiary. His poems have been published in The Paragon Journal and Tacenda Literary Magazine.His scheduled release date is in 2093.
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