Bios

Michelle Duster is a writer, speaker, and project manager with over 20 years experience in advertising, marketing, concert promotion and film production. Her two books Ida In Her Own Words (BW Publishing, 2008) and Ida From Abroad (BW Publishing, 2010) include both her writing and that of her great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells. She is a frequent speaker for churches, universities and community organizations. In addition, she is involved with various committees dedicated to documenting and promoting the contributions women have made to the United States. www.mldwrites.com

Jen Cullerton Johnson Writer. Educator. Urban environmentalist. Jen Cullerton Johnson is the author of numerous articles and the non-fiction children’s book, Seeds of Change: The Wangari Maathai Story (Lee & Low, 2010). She has led writing workshops for high school students, elementary children, and continuing education students. In her efforts to demonstrate the connection between people and nature she gives a percentage of her book sales to help the environment. For each school visit, or workshop, participants plant one tree in solidarity of saving the earth. Jen holds a MFA in Non-Fiction, a MEd in Curriculum and Development and is Illinois certified.

In addition to conducting workshops and writer visits, has won numerous awards and grants for her work, including an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award. Through her work in the schools, Jen helps to plan and create literacy festivals, apply for grants and facilitate teacher in-services. Jen is also a board member of Switchback Books, a feminist poetry press. http://www.jencullertonjohnson.com

Trina Sotira is a member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, through which she helps strengthen the manuscripts of award-winning writers. Her career spans from her first job as an assistant producer of Walter Jacobson’s Perspective on Fox Chicago, later a producer of WTVO-Channel 17’s Daybreak, to writing novels for teens.

A graduate student of American and British literature, Trina completed her M.A. coursework at Northern Illinois University, and will continue working toward a Ph.D. in English. She has published several articles and often presents her research at academic conferences. http://trinasotira.com