Amaris Castillo is a journalist and the creator of Bodega Stories, a series featuring real stories from the corner store. She is also a proud first-time mami. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida and a master's degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in Latina magazine, Fusion and newspapers including The Lowell Sun and Bradenton Herald. Born in Brooklyn, New York to Dominican parents, she credits the many tales she heard growing up to her current love for storytelling.