<p>The Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media students recently visited Penguin Random House’s (PRH) midtown headquarters to have a conversation with the editorial and design team members from Kokila, PRH’s premiere children’s book imprint. Established just five years ago by the visionary Namrata Tripathi, Kokila has already carved a significant space in the publishing landscape. Their core mission centers on amplifying the voices and stories of historically marginalized communities. This visit felt especially relevant given the current political climate, marked by increasing discussions surrounding banned books and a noticeable pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across America. Kokila’s commitment is evident through their sizable catalog of lived-in, heartfelt stories. Some of their notable titles include<i> Hair Love, The Night Diary, My Rainbow</i>, and <i>Antiracist Baby</i>.&nbsp;</p> <p>Attendees made our way to a spacious boardroom with an eye-catching collection of books published by Kokila, a testament to the visual prowess of their design team. Namrata Tripathi walked students through her professional journey, the pivotal years of establishing Kokila, and provided more insight on Kokila’s mission. Participants also had the pleasure of hearing from Jasmin Rubero and Asiya Ahmed from the design team and Jenny Ly, an assistant editor. It was evident that every member of the team truly believed in the work they were producing.</p>