We Are Joy

Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity and representation in children's literature. She is the critcally acclaimed author of Take Back the Block and Not An Easy Win, which both received multiple accolades, best of lists, and starred reviews.

Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son and is currently working on her next middle-grade novel. Kitt Thomas (they/them) is a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator and two time NAACP Image Award winner. They are a first-generation Lucian American, an author, and a graduate of the Ringling College of Art and Design with a BFA in visual studies.

Kitt's mission is to celebrate Black culture with their drawings and to encourage inclusion in all forms of art, as they found it hard to see themself properly represented in the media they enjoyed growing up. Kitt has illustrated many picture books including Stacey's Extraordinary Words, Patchwork Prince, and My Fade is Fresh.