Claire Braz-Valentine is a widely published, award-winning and inter-nationally produced poet, playwright, and journalist. Braz-Valentine has worked with youth at risk and incarcerated adults and teenagers for many years. She is one of a few writers who are approved to work in maximum security prisons in the state of California. She also teaches play writing for the Unverisity of California Extension and her work has been supported by the National Endowment for Humanities, the California Arts Council, The Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County and The Puffin Foundation. She is a member of the National Writers Union and the International Center for Women Playwrights.