As a child growing up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Chanda Austin loved storytelling, but struggled to read. Fortunately, her parents were relentless in their efforts to ensure that she would become an avid reader and life-time learner.

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Chanda earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from Alabama A&M University. Later, she earned her Educational Specialist Degree in School Leadership from Cambridge College in Cambridge, MA. She has been a professional educator since 1998, serving in several instructional capacities.

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She was inspired to become an educator after witnessing her mother take on a powerful and transformative role in the lives of young people for more than 30 years as a teacher. Chanda's first work was a published article in the GATESOL (Georgia Teachers of English to Speakers of other Languages) in Action Journal entitled “Coaching: A New Avenue for Providing Teachers and Administrators Support of English Language Learners.” Her contribution to this article sparked her interest in writing a children’s book.

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"Qiana’s Braids" was birthed from the authentic experience of a little black girl’s first time visiting the hair salon. As a new author, Chanda wanted to shed light on the meaningful experiences young black girls have at the beauty salon.

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When she is not writing, Chanda enjoys live music and local eateries in metro Atlanta. She also enjoys researching relevant issues that plague urban communities. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of other Languages) International. But her proudest accomplishment is being the mother of Nyla--an amazing, beautiful and talented teenage girl.