Amya McKoy is from Southeast DC. She wrote The Ballou I Know because she saw articles that didn’t represent her school and she wanted to tell some truths. She is in the Ballou band and likes to read and write. In the future, she wants to be an author.
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Davia Cain is from Southeast Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou I Know because she wanted to let people know that everybody goes through stuff and you’re not alone. In the future she wants to attend college playing varsity volleyball. Her hobbies are playing sports: basketball, volleyball, softball, and flag-football. She wants people to know that she loves playing sports and learning and experiencing new things.
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Darmeisha Moore is from Washington, DC. She likes to sleep, cook, work, and hang out with her friends. She wants to run her own business or be a social worker so that she can help other people out. She wanted to be a part of The Ballou I Know so she could tell people about Ballou and where they come from. She hopes that readers will get a better sense of the students at Ballou and see that they’re not all bad. They are more than what people make them out to be.
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Tremayne Gross is from Washington, DC. He wrote The Ballou I Know to show how he’s changed over the years. In the future, he wants to be a business owner. And he plans on going to a four year college. He enjoys listening to music, and his hobbies are sports, gaming systems, and going out. He wants people to know that he’s an outgoing, nice, and determined person. He’s always chilling.
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Cashae Faison is from Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou I Know because she wanted to inform people that Ballou isn’t a bad school, and they shouldn’t make assumptions. In the future, she wants to become an entrepreneur and own a clothing store. She enjoys singing, going out with her friends, and spending time with her family. She really wants people to know that she is not just a statistic. She’ll be more.
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Shawma Brown is from Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou We Know to express her feelings about Ballou. In the future she wants to become a freelance journalist. She enjoys traveling and writing poetry and short stories. She wants people to know that she works to make a difference in the world.
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Tyrese Linder is from Southeast DC. In the future, he wants to work in the fire department. He enjoys playing instruments, reading, and games. He enjoys anything honestly if it’s fun. His hobbies are music, chilling with books, movies, or TV shows. He wants people to dig deeper.
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Trevaughn Boomer is from Southeast DC. In the future, he wants to be a successful forensic scientist. He enjoys hanging with his friends, playing sports, and playing games. His hobbies are playing football, going out with friends, and eating. He wants people to know that he’s a quiet and hardworking person who loves his family.
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Syamyia Beach is from Southeast DC. She wrote her poem for The Ballou We Know because she wanted to show the people of the DMV area that DC students can overcome the obstacles that they face and the daggers that are thrown at them. In the future, she wants to become an interior designer. Her hobbies are drawing and designing. She wants people to know that she is a girl from Southeast who sees the light in every situation and takes that inspiration and runs with it.
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My name is Tatiana Robinson (she/her). I was born and raised in Southeast, DC. I wrote my story, “A Little King Is on the Rise,” when I was 20 years old. This is my second book with Shout Mouse Press, as I am also a co-author of The Ballou We Know (2019). I am currently a junior at the University of Miami and am a triple major in Interactive Media, Broadcast Journalism, and Communication Studies: Public Advocacy Track. I am involved in several things on campus, with my favorites being NAACP and University of Miami Television. I am a firm believer in being the change I want to see, so with my future goals, I plan to come back and pour into my village. My future plans include being on television and being the Mayor of DC.
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Andrenae Brown was a senior at Ballou in Washington, DC when she wrote The Ballou We Know. She likes to write, cook, and plan events. She wants to be an entrepreneur and possibly open up her own restaurant. She’d also like to start a mentoring organization that mentors up-and-coming chefs. She wanted to be a part of The Ballou We Know to get her opinion out about all the changes happening at Ballou. She wants readers to see the different personalities of the students at Ballou and not to focus on the stereotypical things that people here. Being a part of this book helped her learn to open up more and to let people hear her point of view. It allows people to get to know more about her as a person.
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Me’Chelle Jones wrote The Ballou We Know to show that Ballou students are powerful and bright enough to determine their own future. In the future she wants to be a counselor to give back to kids like Ballou students. She enjoys helping people and expressing herself. Her hobby is cheering. She wants people to know that she is strong, determines, and loves herself.
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Jada Byrd is from Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou We Know to further explain the real Ballou. In the future she wants to become a successful criminal lawyer. She enjoys social media, writing music, and singing. She wants people to know that she is just a young black girl learning her way. Before you judge someone or something, check the reality of your life and the lives around you.
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Gabriel Clark is from Maryland. He wrote The Ballou We Know because he wanted to share what it’s like for the students at Ballou. In the future, he wants to give back to the youth. His hobbies are working out and writing. He wants people to see his ambition.
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Shaheed Salim is from Washington, DC. He wrote The Ballou We Know because he wanted everyone to hear their point of view of what Ballou is like. In the future, he wants to go to a four year university and play college football and major in math. He enjoys playing video games and football and reading. He wants people to know that he’s hard working and outgoing.
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Aniyah Lester is from Maryland, but she grew up in Southeast. She wrote The Ballou We Know because she wanted to share her true story her own way. In the future she wants to own her own clothing business and become a motivational speaker. She enjoys working and learning new things. Her hobbies are shopping and giving advice. She wants people to know that she’s a go-getter and doesn’t stop.
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Ahmaiya Pleze is from Washington, DC. She wrote The Ballou We Know to tell her story. In the future, she wants to become a forensic scientist and give back to her community. She enjoys doing great things for herself and influencing others.
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Ayah means ‘sign from God’ or ‘miracle’ and Noor means ‘light.’ From Ayah’s mother’s side she is Afghan, and from her father’s side she’s American.
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My name is Bilal (he/him). I was a senior in high school when I wrote my first book with Shout Mouse Press. I am currently a senior at the University of Maryland and am figuring out what's next. I'm excited to just take the world on, one day at a time – whether it be finding employment, learning something new, or working on another project with Shout Mouse, I'm here for it!
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Samaa Eldadah was a senior at Sandy Spring Friends School in Sandy Springs, MD when she wrote I am the Night Sky. High school taught her a lot about the power of youth voices, and one of her immediate goals is to translate the organizing she’s done in school into programming for her Muslim peers. Her long-term goals include college, potentially, law school, and making a local political impact.
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Juliana is from Mexico and has four children: Julian, Mia, Emelia, and Lyanna. She recently graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine where she studied Biomedical Informatics. She enjoys drawing and reading with her kids. Juliana is excited to share a slice of life of Latino culture and hopes this book will help kids connect with their cultural heritage.
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Edith is from Honduras and has a son named Keyden who is in kindergarten. She currently works as a medical assistant and studies medical sonography at Northern Virginia Community College. Edith loves reading and running. She enjoys reading with her son and hopes other parents will enjoy reading this book together with their children, too.
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Araceli is from Honduras and is a mother to four children: Alena, Bryan, Carlos, and Ismael. She is a student at University of the District of Columbia where she studies Human Development. Araceli wrote this book to teach her children about their heritage, and to show them that they can do anything. She never thought she would be an author and is excited to share this book with her children — and with you!
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Chae is a second-generation Korean-American and a parent attending nursing school. Being a young single mom and going back to school after having her son was challenging. She wants to encourage all the young mothers out there to believe in yourself and to celebrate where you are right now.
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Sinnah is the youngest of three siblings and immigrated to the U.S. from Sierra Leone in 2001. She is currently pursuing her bachelors in Family and Consumer Science. As a young mother to two amazing children, Romeo and Laila, it was important to her to write a story that honored the diversity of mothers. She is so happy she had the opportunity to write this book to encourage mothers who are underrepresented in children’s books. She wants you to know that anything is possible as long as you believe in yourself.
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Daysha was born and raised in P.G. County, Maryland, and is the mother of two boys, Dakari and Dakai. She is currently a student at Bowie State University where she majors in theater and dance. For fun, she likes to travel and to model. Daysha wrote this book to help children get through the rough days in daycare apart from their mothers. She hopes this book helps mothers and their babies cope together!
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Isayanna, better known as Izi, is a proud Hispanic woman with two boys, Elijah and Lexson. She currently attends the University of the District of Columbia where she majors in social work. She enjoys nature walks and planning fun activities for her kids. Izi wrote this book to let children know that no matter where your mommy is—whether it be at school or at work—she does it for you to have a better future with many opportunities. This is her first book and she hopes you enjoy reading it as much as she enjoyed writing it for you!
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Emely is a first-generation Salvadoran-American and a recent graduate of the University of Maryland. She is a mom to a beautiful young lady, Ms. Mia. She enjoys artistry through painting and makeup. Where Could Mama Be? is her first book ever. Emely wrote this book for the mommies and kiddos who struggle a bit during drop-off. To the kiddos: The time apart is temporary. While you wait for us, have fun and make friends! To the mommies: However you may feel, it is okay; you are not alone. No one is perfect but you are more than enough for your child!
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Tayla is a recent graduate of Trinity Washington University and the mother of two beautiful daughters, Madison and Chloe. She was raised alongside her two brothers, Tyler and Treavon, by her grandparents, Jeanette and Bennie. They impressed upon her the importance of community love, and she wanted to share that in her first children’s book.
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Sholachauntel is a recent graduate of Trinity Washington University and the mother of a 4-year-old boy named Sebastian. She is a Washington, DC native and is currently pursuing a masters in Black Studies at Morgan State University. This is her first book. Shola wrote this book to depict the early years of being a teen mother, raising her son with the help of her community.
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