Keiko Rakin is the Founder and CEO of the Young Authors’ Alliance, an international organization dedicated to uplifting underrepresented youth writers. An incoming senior at Alhambra High School, Keiko has been writing since the first grade and is currently working on publishing her 450-page fantasy novel. She has participated in renowned writing programs such as WriteGirl, Write the World, the UCLA Writing Extension, and Idyllwild Arts. At school, she serves as President of the Creative Writing Club, where she leads workshops and teaches writing techniques to fellow students. She is also a member of the Slam Poetry Club and has competed in several spoken word events. As the Student Board Member for the Alhambra Unified School District, Keiko represents over 14,000 students across Alhambra, Monterey Park, and the San Gabriel Valley. This summer, she will attend the prestigious Telluride Association Summer Seminar, a highly selective program where she will study the intersection of arts, writing, social justice, and Black feminist storytelling in Washington, D.C. Keiko previously taught last year’s Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Speculative Fiction course and brings extensive experience in English tutoring, creative writing mentorship, and student leadership. She is passionate about nurturing youth voices and can’t wait to read her students’ stories!