Shamar Knight-Justice is based in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently the Chief Academic Officer of Ethos Classical, an K-6 school focused on the intersection of joy, rigor, and the humanity of its students. In his work, he uses different mediums to build interest in his characters, and add complexity to their personalities. He intentionally highlights Black and Brown children in his work because he believes that the fullness of their identities should be displayed, and are often overlooked in picture books. His forthcoming book, MELODIES OF THE WEARY BLUES, is an illustrated anthology that introduces Langston Hughes's The Weary Blues to a younger audience. His second published book, BIG TUNE, received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. His third published book, REPEAT AFTER ME, made it on the New York Times Best-Sellers List. Shamar was also the Grand Prize portfolio showcase winner of SCBWI's 2022 winter conference, and an inaugural recipient of their OMA award. Since publication, he has been commissioned for work by American Greetings, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Scholastic, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and Heinemann Publishing.