Conversations with Angela Thomas Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Thomas Smith.

Angela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Angela Thomas Smith’s journey began with a passion to give voice to the voiceless and create opportunities for authors, speakers, and entrepreneurs to be seen and heard. Through faith, determination, and a heart for collaboration, she became known as the “Queen of Collaborations.” As an author, speaker, life coach, media entrepreneur, and founder of Aspiring Authors Magazine and DA Crew Podcast & Media Network, Angela has built platforms that educate, empower, and encourage others to walk boldly in their purpose. Her story is one of resilience, vision, service, and helping others turn their dreams into reality.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road at all. My journey has been filled with pain, loss, trauma, and moments where I did not know if I would make it through.

One of the most life-changing moments happened when I lost my mother just 12 days after my 16th birthday. At an age when I still needed her guidance, love, protection, and presence, I was forced to face life without her. That loss created a deep wound in me. It affected how I saw myself, how I trusted people, how I processed love, and how I handled grief. Losing my mother so young made me feel abandoned, broken, and unsure of where I belonged.

After that, life continued to bring many difficult battles. I struggled with depression, PTSD, domestic violence, sexual assault, suicide attempts, homelessness, and emotional pain that many people never saw. There were times I felt invisible. There were times I felt like my voice did not matter. There were times I was just trying to survive one day at a time.

But even in my darkest seasons, I refused to give up.

By the grace of God, I kept standing. I kept fighting. I kept praying. I kept believing that there had to be purpose beyond the pain. What was meant to destroy me became part of my testimony. I learned how to turn my wounds into wisdom, my pain into power, and my survival into service.

Today, I use my story to help others heal, rise, and be seen and heard. I know what it feels like to be broken, overlooked, abused, rejected, and lost—but I also know what it feels like to be restored, strengthened, and called for a greater purpose.

My road has not been easy, but every struggle helped shape the woman I am today. I am still here. I am still standing. I am still building. And I refuse to give up.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an author, speaker, life coach, media entrepreneur, self-publishing strategist, and the CEO of Aspiring Authors Magazine. I am also the founder of the DA Crew Podcast & Media Network and the African American Author Literacy Awareness Campaign. Many people know me as Queen Visionary and the Queen of Collaborations because I love bringing people together, creating platforms, and helping others be seen, heard, and supported.

My work centers around what I call the E3 Experience: Educate, Empower, and Encourage. I specialize in helping authors, poets, speakers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries share their stories, publish their books, build their brands, and gain visibility without feeling overwhelmed or going broke.

I am known for creating spaces for people who often feel overlooked—especially Black and Brown authors and creatives. Through magazines, podcasts, book tours, anthologies, coaching, and media opportunities, I help people step out of the background and walk boldly in their purpose.

What I am most proud of is that I did not allow my pain to stop my purpose. I survived depression, PTSD, domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, suicide attempts, and the loss of my mother at a young age. Instead of giving up, I turned my testimony into a mission to help others rise.

What sets me apart is my heart. I do this work from a place of faith, service, and biblical principles. I do not just want to charge people—I want to teach them, guide them, and help them grow. I believe collaboration is better than competition, and I believe every person has a story that can impact the world.

My greatest joy is seeing someone go from hidden to visible, from afraid to confident, and from dreaming to doing.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is going with my mother and grandmother to the Anderson County Flea Market. They would sell things they made and vegetables they had grown themselves. Those moments taught me so much about hard work, creativity, family, entrepreneurship, and community.

I remember watching them use their hands, their gifts, and what they had to provide, connect with people, and build something meaningful. It was more than just selling items—it was a lesson in legacy. Looking back, I believe those early experiences helped shape the visionary and entrepreneur I am today.

Pricing:

• FRONT COVER FEATURE ON MAGAZINE AND 4 PAGES INSIDE $226
• HOST YOUR OWN PODCAST UNTIL DEC.31ST 2026 $159
• 1-PAGE FEATURE IN MAGAZINE $76
• 2-3 MIN PROMO SONG OF YOUR BRAND $35-1 SONG /$60-2 SONGS
• 90-DAY TO PUBLISH YOUR OWN BOOK $526

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.angelathomassmithbooks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelaqueenofcollaboration/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QueenofCollaborations
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/founderofaspiringauthorsmagazine/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dacrewpodcastmedianetwork
• Other: https://www.linktr.ee/queenofcollaborations