Maria Costanzo Palmer is an author and grant writer. Growing up as the oldest child of an award-winning restaurateur, Maria unexpectedly became a daughter of the incarcerated. This experience ignited an interest in working for Get on the Bus, a nonprofit dedicated to uniting children with their incarcerated parents. A former host on L.A. Talk Radio, Maria was recently featured on Food and Beverage Magazine Live and has made a number of media appearances. You can find Maria on FB and IG @joecostanzoprimadonna and on Twitter @mariacpalmer. For
more information, visit www.mariacpalmer.com.
Ruthie Robbins is an award-winning educator who worked for the Montour School District in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA, and for Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary. Ruthie now teaches English and Language Arts in Buffalo, NY. She is currently working on other books and is preparing to launch The Writing Factory Online, a comprehensive writing program for middle schools. Ruthie grew up on the street that would later house The Primadonna Restaurant.