Emily Joof
Publisher, Mbife Books
Focus Area: Children’s Literature, Literacy, Education Inclusion
Country: The Gambia
Emily Joof is a passionate author, educator, and champion for inclusive storytelling. She founded the Mbife Foundation to advance literacy and improve access to diverse children’s books in The Gambia. Through her publishing initiative, Mbife Books, she shares Afro-diasporic stories that break stereotypes and honor cultural heritage.
As a Global Education Technical Advisor at Save the Children, Joof brings over 15 years of expertise in international education and development. She is also pursuing a PhD at Lancaster University, where her research focuses on how children’s literature can promote inclusion. With six published works, Joof remains committed to ensuring that every child can see themselves represented in the stories they read.