Ayize Jama-Everett was born in Harlem, New York, in 1974 and raised there. He's spent a lot of time in Northern Africa, New Hampshire, and Northern California since then. He has a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology as well as a Master's degree in Divinity. When he's not working as a school therapist at the College Preparatory School, he teaches religion and psychology at Starr King School for the Ministry. He's generally savoring old rums and perfecting his aim when he's not learning, researching, or beating himself up for not writing enough.