C. Renee Stephens is an African historian and assistant professor of history at Bard High School Early College–Newark. She holds a first degree black belt in Uechi-Ryu Karate-do, a martial art originating from Okinawa. C. Renee’s science fiction is inspired by spiritual writings from across Africa and Asia, the historical encounters between Europeans and Africans, as well as technological advance and its impact on human society. “Culling the Herd” is her first published science fiction short story, appearing first in the 2013 edition of Metropolarity. She is currently working on a science fiction trilogy entitled The Amentetan Renaissance. She and her partner have two amazing daughters and live in Philadelphia.