Nana's New Soul Food

Will Power is an internationally renowned playwright, performer, lyricist, and educator. Called “the best verse playwright in America” by New York Magazine, Will is an innovator and dramatic explorer of new theatrical forms. He is known as one of the pioneers and cocreators of hip-hop theater, a late-twentieth-century art form that led the way for future iconic works such as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, as well as dozens of hip-hop education programs being established throughout the country. Will is also a master craftsman of traditionally based plays and musicals. His straight play, Fetch Clay, Make Man, directed by the Emmy Award–winning director and dance icon Debbie Allen, will debut in 2023. Will lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two kids.

R. Gregory Christie has illustrated more than sixty books for young adults and children, including Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford, which was awarded a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Honor. He has also received two New York Times Best Illustrated Book awards, six Coretta Scott King Honors for illustration, the NAACP Image Award, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. In addition, Greg has designed John Coltrane album covers and animated films on Netflix, and he operates his online store of autographed children’s books, GAS-ART Gifts. He lives and works in the Atlanta area.