Matthew Desmond

Matthew Desmond, the author of Poverty, by America is a sociologist at Princeton University. He was trained at both Arizona State and the University of Wisconsin. Desmond was not raised in wealth; in fact, he and his family endured eviction. Desmond is extremely sympathetic to the plight of the poor in America and writes about the ways everyday citizens may be contributing to cycles of poverty. His scholarship is both well-researched and inspiring. He challenges readers to focus on economic justice.

Crystal Mayberry

Crystal Mayberry lives in Milwaukee. She was born prematurely when her mother was stabbed in the back while being robbed. Her parents and her grandmother all smoked crack cocaine. Crystal ended up in foster care. Crystal fought a great deal in group homes and was barred from low-income housing for two years because of an assault charge. She descended into homelessness and then...