A conversation with Soul Sisters authors, Crystal Hawkins and Ingrid Estrada-Darley, with Dr. Sheryl Davis, Executive Director of the SF Human Rights Commission.  

 
Hawkins and Estrada-Darley's friendship story began in elementary school and has flourished for over 30 years. Both were born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, where they met on the playground at Figueroa Street Elementary School. Through the years, they organically learned about each other’s background and culture and became more than just close friends. They shared family customs, history and food with each other and grew closer with each shared experience. 

 
Despite attending different high schools and colleges, Hawkins and Estrada-Darley both studied early childhood development and earned Master’s in Social Work. Their paths converged again in adulthood and the idea for Black Girl, Brown Girl Books was born. A shared frustration with the lack of representation of Black and Brown characters in children’s literature was transformed into a shared passion and realized dream.