Karen K. Koukou is a dynamic and inspirational change agent, diversity, equity, and inclusion leader, philanthropist, speaker, best-selling author and publisher. She was born in West Africa, Liberia, and raised in the United States. As a child growing up in southwest, Philadelphia, she would spend countless hours getting lost in books at her local library as a way of escaping the trauma and impact of the Liberian civil war that she survived.

As an adult, she collected children’s books even before she became a mom to her two daughters, Jazzmin, and Serenity. As a storyteller, she infuses her Christian values with her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion to tell transformational stories of hope, faith, and belonging that center diverse voices and characters. As a philanthropist, she educates, empowers, and inspires underprivileged girls, women, and orphans in West Africa, Liberia to reach their full potential.

As a publisher, she strives to publish own-voice titles from marginalized groups. Karen earned a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a minor in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and a Master’s in Higher Education Leadership and Administration from Capella University. As a lifelong learner, she is currently pursuing her Doctorate degree.