Saladin Thomas is a performer, writer, and educator of color who currently teaches 5th grade in Aurora Public Schools. He holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and an M.A. in Education, both from the University of Colorado, Denver. He is the drummer for Denver band To Be Astronauts, raps under the alias J.M. Blackfriend, and is the 2020 Denver Regional Air Guitar Champion! In his spare time, he plays needlessly complex board games.  He plays competitive air guitar as dreadflanders_usag on TikTok.