Aya Collective Publishing

✨ Meet Dr. Shakita Thomas Kpetay ✨

One of the newest voices at Aya Collective Publishing, Dr. Shakita Thomas Kpetay is currently co-authoring a powerful forthcoming book with Tamien Elder, centering Black women’s experiences living with endometriosis.

A proud Chicago native, Shakita brings a deep commitment to community education through her work with Nu Skool for African American Thought. She recently earned her doctorate from the University of Minnesota and now serves as a tenure-track professor at Connecticut College in New London, CT.

We recently sat down with Shakita to learn more about her writing journey and her book project—set to be published by Aya Collective Publishing later this year. Here’s what she had to say:

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Dr. Shakita Thomas Kpetay. I was born on the South Side of Chicago by way of Mississippi, which is where I trace my roots. I’m a faculty member at Connecticut College, focused on Africana Studies and Education.

I’m also the founder and CEO of Remnants of Hope Coaching and Consulting. I come to this work through years of scholarship and community engagement.

For fun, I enjoy spending time with my husband and my dog. I love working out, going to Zumba, and reading for leisure.

When was the first time you recognized you were a writer?

I recognized I was a writer during my PhD program. That was the first time I accepted writing as part of my identity. Specifically, it was through my work with the Community of Scholars program at the University of Minnesota, where I supported other scholars through a writing initiative. That experience gave me the confidence to own my voice. I realized I enjoy writing—especially when it’s about what I care deeply about.

How did you initially get involved with Aya Collective Publishing?

I got involved through the 2024 Writing Challenge and helped facilitate that work with Aya Collective. More recently, I’ve been collaborating with Aya Collective Publishing on my co-writing project with Tamien Elder focused on Black women living with endometriosis.

Our forthcoming book centers our personal experiences and uses storytelling as a transformative tool. We ground the work in Black Studies, Education, and Public Health—exploring the historical ties between gynecology and the exploitation of enslaved Black women. Aya Collective was our intentional choice for publishing because of its mission and community-rooted approach.

Tell us about your creative and spiritual work outside of Aya Collective.

My creative and spiritual work is deeply embedded in Remnants of Hope, my pedagogy, and how I teach. I use my Remnants of Hope framework to coach individuals and organizations through challenges—from personal health to professional transformation.

In the classroom, I guide students to connect with their deeper purpose beyond career goals. Creativity and spirituality are essential tools in my practice, helping others move from stagnation to healing and growth.

How can people find and support your work?

You can visit my website: remnantsofhopecc.org to learn more and refer others to my work.

Also, support our upcoming book, Remembered in Living Text: Black Women Living with Endometriosis. To stay in the loop, subscribe to Aya Collective Publishing’s newsletter Rise and Write or follow us on Instagram:
📲 @remnantsofhopecc | @beauty_equipped

What’s one piece of advice you have for aspiring writers?

Just go for it. Take quiet time to sit with your ideas, then put pen to paper—or speak them into your device.

Also, focus on the process, not just the product. Writing opens up new pathways and unexpected revelations. As a believer in Jesus, I’ve found writing to be a sacred space where the Spirit can show up and move through you.