Lori L. Tharps is an award-winning author, journalist, and former tenured college professor whose work explores race and popular culture. Her books include Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America, Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love & Spain, and Same Family Different Colors, along with the novel Substitute Me. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Essence, and Glamour.

After years of encouraging BIPoC writers through her podcast and blog, Tharps founded The Sanctuary to give Black, Indigenous, Latina, Asian, and multiracial women writers a dedicated space to develop their craft and pursue publication. She calls the work her ministry to help other BIPoC writers find the courage and skills to get their words into the world, and brings that same guidance to every workshop and feedback circle inside the community.