Ruby Bridges is a civil rights icon, activist, author, and speaker who, at the age of six, was the first Black student to integrate William Frantz Elementary, an all-white elementary school in Louisiana. Bridges is the recipient of numerous awards, including the NAACP Martin Luther King Award and the Presidential Citizens Medal, and she has received honorary doctorate degrees from Connecticut College; College of New Rochelle; Teachers College, Columbia University; and Tulane University. In 2024, Bridges was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. Bridges is also the author of I Am Ruby Bridges; Through My Eyes; This Is Your Time; and Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts. Ruby lives in Louisiana with her family. Learn more at rubybridges.com. NIKKOLAS SMITH is a native of Houston, Texas, and a Master of Architecture recipient from Hampton University. He is an ARTivist, concept artist, children's book author, film illustrator and movie poster designer. His books include The Artivist, The Golden Girls of Rio (nominated for an NAACP Image Award) and My Hair Is Poofy and That's Okay, and World Cup Women. He is also the illustrator of New York Times bestseller The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, I Am Ruby Bridges, Black Panther Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream, and That Flag. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
