Patrick Dixon is a retired teacher and commercial fisherman whose poems and photographs have been published in Oregon Coast, The Journal of Family Life, National Fisherman, Cirque and others. His chapter book, Arc of Visibility, won the 2015 Alabama State Poetry Society's annual Morris Memorial competition.

Together with teachers from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Chris Eide has led a statewide effort to improve the odds that young people from low-income families have access to schools. He is also an author, university lecturer, explorer, and poet.

Heidi Fosner is a singer/songwriter, educator and urban gardener. Tacoma resident since 1998.

John Hargis is a Digital Media Specialist at Tacoma Public Library's StoryLab. There he works to inspire young talent to develop, network and release all forms of media including music, video, audio, audition reels, resumes and press kits to prospective agencies. He currently teaches drums and music production in Gig Harbor, WA. John is a hand-drum enthusiast and has performed as a classic rock and blues musician in the Puget Sound area for the past 15 years.

Joy Misako St. Germain has been writing poetry and acting in the theatre since she was a young girl. Joy works as the Human Resources Director for the City of Tacoma.

Shari Shelton is a writer and has edited and published anthology's for writers who examine Christian spirituality in contemporary life.

Lucas is the 2013-15 Tacoma Poet Laureate and launched "The Laureate Listening Project."

Dwayne is a regular participant in Tacoma Public Library's StoryLab, creating original beats and raps. When he heard about the listening project the day of the event, he created an original piece within two hours and recorded that same day.

The Summer at Peace Youth Leadership Class decided to take on the issue around stereotyping in their schools. This team poem represents their response to the stereotyping that they have experienced in high school and reclaiming of their identity on their own terms. Since they come from high schools throughout Tacoma, we have identified the place where they gave voice to their identities: at Peace Community Center in Tacoma's Hilltop Neighborhood.

TDH is a member of 2012 and has spent most of his career giving a voice to justice through hip hop. He often uses elements of his own story to inspire others.

Bree Dusseault works with Green Dot Public Schools Washington. As a resident of Southeast Seattle and former principal and teacher, Bree believes deeply in working with families and community to create schools that will realize their hopes and dreams for students and is privileged to be working alongside the community to build a school in East Tacoma. Bree's passion growing up was creative writing and journalism, and getting a chance to participate in this project has renewed the creative juices living within.

Centell T. Jackson is an active poet and songwriter and has works publish in the 2015 Pierce College Slam Magazine, Five Willows online poetry publication, and currently has submissions with the African American Writers Alliance.

Steve and his wife, Kristi, have toured the nation and overseas as a songwriting duo. They are both passionate advocates and activists for peace.

Josh Rizeberg is a spoken-word poet, M.C., father, and a member of Hilltop Build And Destroy.

Trevor is from the Pacific Northwest but studied and worked abroad before returning in 2005. Trevor is educated as a scientist and technologist.

Jeremy Silas is a multidisciplinary artist. He is a painter, musician/composer, writer, and spoken word performer.

Rev. Abigail Vizcarra Perez worked as a credentialed educator for private and public schools in California until moving to Washington when she learned at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. In 2011 she completed her thesis entitled The Poetics of Children's Ministry. For 13 years she has served children and families in non-profits across the country. In 2016 she became the first person of Latinx descent to be ordained by the United Methodist Church in the Pacific Northwest. She currently lives in Tacoma with her partner, Nathan.

Connie Walle is the president of Puget Sound Poetry Connection, now celebrating 25 years in business.

Christina Butcher is a freelance writer, podcaster and veteran from Chaparral, New Mexico. She has a passion for storytelling and community involvement, and her debut poetry collection, Still Clutching Maps, was published in May 2017. She holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology from New Mexico State University and a certificate in storytelling and content strategy from Washington State University. She lives and writes in Tacoma, Washington.

Glenn Buttkus is a lifelong actor and poet who has contibuted to Live at the Auricle at B Sharp Coffeehouse.