Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins (1859-1930) was a pioneering African-American novelist, playwright and journalist, whose work, such as the romance novel Contending Forces, often explored race and social issues. As an editor and director of The Colored American Magazine, she wielded significant literary and cultural influence.

Patty Nicole Johnson writes sci-fi that envisions a more equitable society. Her work has been published or is forthcoming in New American Legends, On the Seawall, Midnight & Indigo, Constelacio?n and Flame Tree's Black Sci-Fi Short Stories. She is also revising her debut novel, The Rhythm of Reveries and has been a panellist at FIYAHCON.

Dr. Sandra M. Grayson is a tenured full professor in the English Department at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her publications include the books Visions of the Third Millennium; Symbolizing the Past; A Literary Revolution; and Sparks of Resistance, Flames of Change.