About the Author I just turned twenty-seven as I was completing this book. I was born in Chicago, Illinois at Memorial Medical Center on the east side in February, but I was raised in Springfield, Illinois on the north side. I was in foster care until I was adopted my parents Tonya and Doug Deal at the age of twelve. I am an African-American women raised by a white family. The point of this to show you there can always be diversity in any family. I was raised to be proper, get an education, respect my elders, get my college degree, and be successful.
I was homeschooled and then enrolled into Lincoln Magnet School; from there, I was then promoted to Lanphier High School. I graduated from high school with my diploma and a Level One Credential in Early Childhood Care and Education. After I went to college for a few years, I registered for classes at Lincoln Land Community College and graduated. I received my Level Two Credential in Early Childhood Care and Education during this time as well. In 2018, I moved out of my parents’ house and moved into my own apartment with the help of my dad and grandma and grandpa Harris. Since I moved out, I have been surviving on my own paycheck to paycheck.