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.

Judith Cullen is a local artist with over 25 years of experience in theater and opera. In 2013 she began writing short fiction, essays and poetry - opening whole new horizons for this incurably creative soul. Visit her at jdcstoryteller.blogspot.com.

Kristine Harper is a hometown pet sitter, activist, and City of Tacoma employee.

William Hassert has hosted open mics in Tacoma and continues to write poetry about injustice.

Sandy was born in central Wisconsin and has resided in Tacoma, WA since 1989. "To my understanding, the heart of art is communication, and the heart of communication is connection; it is my belief that any connection worth troubling oneself to make, in its most valuable manifestation, is born of love."

William Kupinse is Associate Professor of English at the University of Puget Sound and was Tacoma's first Poet Laureate from 2008-2009. Kupinse has recently collaborated with composer Greg Youtz and mezzo-soprano Erin Calata to produce a CD of ten poem-songs titled Poetry Above the Roar.

Dawn was involved in the restoration of the Pantages Theater and efforts to save The Murray Morgan Bridge.

Elijah Muied is a spoken word artist, writer, and producer. He has been featured at many events in Seattle as well as being casted in Slam Town, Voice of the Americas, and Projectiles.

Kellie is a lifelong educator and activist for access and equity. She embraces poetry and spoken word.

Lucas Smiraldo, the 2013-15 Tacoma Poet Laureate, developed and wrote this piece for City Club in response to a presentation by the chief engineers of the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The work subsequently was integrated into a spoken word drama of seventeen movements titled "Voice of the Americas". Composer Wrick Wolff created a soundscape behind each piece for the final cd and live theater performance.

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.