Woman with braided hair, wearing a white sweater and jeans, sitting on a white surface against a minimalistic, light background. She has a calm expression and her hands are gently clasped.

Aaliyah Bilal

Aaliyah Bilal was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She has degrees from Oberlin College and the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies. She has published stories and essays with The Michigan Quarterly Review and The Rumpus. Temple Folk, her debut short story collection, was shortlisted for the 2023 National Book Award in Fiction.