Ernest Smiles is an author, body builder champion and Operations Executive with a six-sigma greenbelt. He studied Operations Management at Baruch College and received his MBA from Syracuse University. He believes travel can change the world and as a child always dreamed of having a family to travel the world and explore different cultures. His writing is influenced by his travels to over 18+ countries. When he’s not traveling or writing, he can be found in the gym. Ernest is the author of When Imani Smiles in France and currently lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and daughter.

Barbara Furlow-Smiles is an author, public speaker, and Diversity Executive. She studied International Relations at Spelman College, received her Masters in Public Administration from Baruch College, studied abroad at University of Capetown, South Africa, and volunteered abroad in Costa Rica. Barbara began documenting her travels at an early age during her first family vacation to Hawaii, which sparked her passion of immersing with people and places as a way to embrace cultural understanding. When Imani Smiles in France was an idea she and her husband, Ernest Smiles, had after visiting over 18+ countries with Imani and seeing the development of her independence, curiosity, and compassion. Barbara currently lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and daughter.

Brock Nicol is an Ottawa, Ontario based full-time professional illustrator with a passion for realism in art. The youngest of 7 children (and twin brother to Barry), Brock was born and raised in Ottawa where he began the pursuit of art at a very early age. He graduated from the Graphic Design/Illustration program at Algonquin College and subsequently began a career as a freelance illustrator. From children’s books, greeting cards and individual commissions, Brock enjoys working in many different mediums—traditional or digital. You will find him working daily in his second-floor studio, be it in front of his easel with his painter’s palette or in front of his trusty Mac computer.