Kwame Alexander is an acclaimed American writer known for his rich contributions to poetry and children's fiction. He has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2015 John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American literature for Children for his book The Crossover. This title also brought him the Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, amongst other honors such as the NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, and the Passaic Poetry Prize.

Alexander's literary work transcends age barriers, as he writes for children of all ages. His portfolio extends beyond The Crossover, including Surf's Up (a picture book), Booked (a middle grade novel), and He Said She Said (a YA novel). Passionate about the transformative power of poetry, Alexander is also an educator who fervently believes that poetry can change the world. He champions this ideal by inspiring and empowering young people through his PAGE TO STAGE Writing and Publishing Program, which is released by Scholastic.

As a speaker, Kwame Alexander addresses audiences at colleges, conferences, and community gatherings. He has created Author Study, an innovative, multimedia literacy initiative designed to connect with students and educators around the world. Aimed at changing the world one word at a time, Alexander's mission is manifested through virtual author visits, workshops, and webinars that foster engagement with literacy and the arts.