Alix Strauss is a trend, culture and lifestyle journalist; an award-winning, four-time published author; and speaker. She is a frequent contributor to the New York Times, among other publications. She is currently on tour with her recently re-issued cult classic novel, The Joy of Funerals which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

We chatted with Korean American writer Suzanne Park about her journey from corporate marketing to a successful writing career. With inspiration from rom-coms, Suzanne crafts stories that blend humor and heartfelt themes of family, fresh starts, and intergenerational relationships.

Reema Zaman is an author, speaker, and screenwriter. She is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir I Am Yours and the forthcoming novel Woman in Flight. Her essays have been published in Vogue, The Guardian, Salon, The Rumpus, and several others.

L’Oreal Thompson Payton is an award-winning journalist and the author of Stop Waiting for Perfect: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Into Your Power. Her personal essays, feature stories and celebrity interviews have been published in esteemed media outlets such as Essence, Fortune, SELF, Shondaland, and Well + Good, among others.