Vickie Vértiz is an essayist and poet. Her writing can be found in the Los Angeles Review of Books, the Cobalt Review, KCET's Departures series, and many anthologies. Vickie has taught writing in Boyle Heights libraries, 826 Valencia, and UC Riverside. Her work sees value in everyone.

Aida Salazar is a writer, artist, producer, and arts activist who uses all facets of her work as a catalyst for social change.

Stephen D. Gutierrez is the author of Elements and Live from Fresno y Los, for which he received the Nilon Award and an American Book Award, respectively. His latest book is The Mexican Man in His Backyard, Stories & Essays. He teaches at California State University, East Bay.

Melinda Palacio is the author of the novel, Ocotillo Dreams, the poetry collections Folsom Lockdown and How Fire Is a Story, Waiting. She writes a column for La Bloga and teaches workshops on fiction and poetry. Her work is featured in Contemporary Chicana Literature:(Re)Writing the Maternal Script.