Mechelle E. Salley is a counselor, educator, researcher, consultant, and now a published author. She is a Southern California native raised in San Bernardino, CA, and grew up watching her cousins participate in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics. She was a sprinter in high school and competed in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4×1, and 4×4. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. who enjoys serving in the community and guiding children, adolescents, adults, families, and organizations to expand their social-emotional capacity. She is the co-author of the children's illustrated book, "R IS FOR RUNNING".