Jalaila Hardy is a passionate writer, artist, and advocate for inclusivity and diversity. Inspired by her son’s experiences as a biracial child, which mirrored her own, she wrote The Sandwich Way: First Day of School to simplify the discussion of understanding and describing others, highlighting how our differences unite us.

Born to a Black father with mixed heritage and a mother of Irish descent raised in a bilingual home, Jalaila grew up immersed in a rich tapestry of cultures. Her short time living in Mexico as a child further deepened her appreciation for diversity and community.

Affectionately nicknamed “Mother Goose” by her siblings for her nurturing nature, Jalaila has been a lifelong writer and creative, expressing herself through poetry and painting. She envisions The Sandwich Way as a global tool used in formative years for building empathy, inclusion, and celebration of diversity—foundations for brighter classrooms and futures.