Abdul-Razak Zachariah grew up in West Haven, Connecticut, and based the story's apartment complex and community on his own. A graduate of Yale College, he was deeply involved in diversity and inclusion advocacy while there, and he received the Mellon Mays Research Fellowship and the Nakanishi Prize. He is currently working in college student recruitment and community partnerships at LEAP, a New Haven literacy organization. The Night Is Yours is his first book.

Keturah A. Bobo was born in Toledo, Ohio, and graduated with a BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design. Many of her illustrations are empowering depictions of black women and girls. "As an artist," she says, "it is my duty to make art that inspires, uplifts, and advocates for my community. Nothing is more important in my art than this." Her first picture book, I Am Enough , is a New York Times bestseller.