Brenda Perez Mendoza is an award-winning educator and the author of Racial Justice in America: Latinx American series. She grew up in Cicero as a native language Spanish speaker. When she went to school, there wasn't enough support for students learning the English language. That is what drove her to become a K-12 ELL specialist and work with bilingual students. She works to advocate for all students, Latinx especially, to embrace their culture and celebrate who they are. Today, she lives in Chicago, Illinois, and is committed to providing students with culturally responsive practices and advocating for the Whole Child.