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.

Jennifer writes poetry, fiction and nonfiction with work in anthologies, magazines, a letterpress print and in the award-winning pop-up book, SNOWFLAKES. She's honored to be included in this project and hopes to connect with you at www.byJenn.com.

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. Visit her at jdcstoryteller.blogspot.com.

Brian Desmond has worked as an actor, director, writer, and professor. He was born in Cyprus and has lived in Iran, Ecuador, Madagascar, Okinawa, England, and in numerous cities throughout the United States, including ten years in Tacoma.

Josie Emmons Turner was the 2011-13 Poet Laureate for the city of Tacoma and is a high school educator. She published a poetry collection titled "Sarasvati Takes Pegasus As Her Mount".

David Fewster is a poet, musician and vendor of used books. David had been a Tacoma resident since 1996.

Michael Haeflinger is a poet and artist from the Midwest. He lives in Tacoma.

Dale King is a lifetime railroader with over forty years' experience in the industry. He is currently the Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer of municipally-owned Tacoma Rail. His latest venture is the production of a poetry festival as part of Tacoma Arts Month in October 2015

Ann MacKenzie is a teacher in Kent, Washington. She works at a school where over 38 languages are spoken. Some of her poetry focuses on experiences with these students.

Darcy Nelson has claimed Tacoma as home for the past four years and works in the non-profit sector.

Carl "Papa" Palmer, retired Army, retired FAA, lives in University Place, WA. He is a Pushcart Prize and Micro Award nominee with a contest winning poem riding buses somewhere in Seattle. MOTTO: Long Weekends Forever.

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

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.