Christopher Lau (he/him) is a literary advocate and undergraduate student from Queens, New York, now based at New York University. His work addresses the critical intersection of education, access, and intellectual freedom.

Motivated by the nationwide surge in book bans targeting marginalized voices, Christopher founded UNBAN COOLIES in 2023. The platform, a name representing the liberation of stories and the essential work of storytellers, serves as a key digital forum. Through it, Christopher has conducted in-depth interviews with over 100 award-winning authors and librarians, creating a vital archive that counters censorship by amplifying the voices under threat. His advocacy was recognized with his inclusion in the 2025 anthology Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights, published by Holiday House and edited by Ashley Hope Pérez, and through his designation as an  ACLU Emerging Advocate.

His advocacy took a direct, practical turn when he identified the absence of a certified librarian at his former high school – a gap he saw as a microcosm of broader access issues. In response, he developed the UNBAN COOLIES Author Series, a curated, free resource for libraries and schools. This initiative specifically supports underfunded institutions by enhancing library engagement, supplementing curricula, and providing virtual author access where in-person visits are not feasible. Christopher’s work demonstrates that effective advocacy moves beyond awareness to creating tangible, equitable solutions.