Charitable and Nonprofit Work GIVING BACK and PAYING IT FORWARD have been part of my work ethic philosophy since my first volunteer experiences as a teen.
At this time, I am actively involved with these nonprofit organizations:
The SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund SCBWI-ILF is the charitable arm of the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators. I am on its steering committee.
In 2022, I created the All Readers Welcome grants, an SCBWI-ILF literacy-building program which supplies books by and/or about marginalized and underrepresented individuals to schools in need.
It has already provided more than 1400 books to 37 schools, reaching over 28,ooo students.
Read Your World RYW raises awareness about children's books that celebrate diversity and inclusion through a variety of programs. I am on its board.
I created The Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards which are administered by RYA: Two annual prizes of $1500 for books with intersectional main characters.
Lambda Literary's LGBTQ Writers in Schools LGBTQWIS brings reading to life by connecting K-12 students with working LGBTQ+ authors. I am a participating author.