Yasmin Shiraz is an author, producer and filmmaker. She wrote the award winning Retaliation novel series which received a Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers nod from the American Library Association's YALSA Division. The 2nd novel in the series, Accused, explores sexual assault and being falsely accused. She also wrote the critically acclaimed Blueprint for My Girls series which has been featured in Ebony, Essence, Teen People, CosmoGirl among others.As a producer, she has filmed educational and thought provoking documentaries that chronicle the lives, traumas and experiences of youth. Her first production, Can She Be Saved?, a documentary that examines violence among middle school girls. She also produced the Sources, teen suicide prevention web series.As a speaker, she has created programs from her best selling "Blueprint" empowerment series focusing on self esteem, motivational, and educational tools. She regularly speaks at middle and high schools, after school programs, non-profit youth centers, as well as Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the country. Shiraz conducts youth educational programs with various community partners. Shiraz's programming clients include: The YWCA, Girls Inc, The Philadelphia African American Children's Bookfair, Congressman Elijah Cummings Teen Youth Summit, The University of Delaware, Girl Scouts, Syracuse University's Sisters Empowering Sisters Conference, The US Postal Service, Planned Parenthood, Essence Music Festival, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, The WNBA's Washington Mystics and Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Her topics include: violence prevention, self esteem, success and motivation, healthy relationships, and entrepreneurship.The popularity of her "Blueprint" workshops for middle school, high school and college audiences lead Shiraz to become a highly sought after radio & TV youth expert appearing on FOX, ABC, NBC and CBS news affiliates nationwide. Ebony, Essence, CosmoGirl! and Teen People magazines have featured reviews of Shiraz's Blueprint books and/or have asked her to contribute to advice articles for teens.A sociologist by trade, Yasmin Shiraz has studied women's issues, youth issues, urban conditions, social problems concerning minority populations, violence against women, disparities in the US educational system, and blue collar vs. white collar crimes. She applies her sociology training in educating and working with youth throughout the nation.Shiraz is on the advisory board of Ten Red Rockets--a literacy initiative--, a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, and the American Screenwriters Association. She is a graduate of Hampton University and Morehead State University, respectively, having received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Sociology. In addition, she has studied screenwriting with the head of Yale's creative writing department.