Life & Work with Angela Thomas-Smith of Union City

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

Hi Angela , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Angela Thomas Smith’s journey to “walking in purpose” is rooted in personal resilience, faith, and a deep-seated desire to uplift her community through collaboration. Her path involved overcoming personal adversity and leveraging her experiences to build a global platform dedicated to empowering Black and Brown authors and entrepreneurs.
Key elements of her journey include:
Overcoming Adversity: Thomas has explicitly mentioned enduring significant challenges throughout her life journey and using these experiences as a catalyst for growth and developing a heart for helping others. She has written books and shared her story on podcasts to demonstrate a journey from “brokenness to healed”.
A Calling to Serve: Her work is driven by a strong spiritual foundation. She begins her days with early morning prayers and attributes her ability to help others find their purpose to her faith.
Identifying a Need: She recognized that Black and Brown authors were often overlooked in the publishing world. This realization directly inspired her to launch the African American Author Literacy Awareness Campaign (AAALAC) and Aspiring Authors Magazine, providing them with a much-needed voice and platform.
The Power of Collaboration: The nickname “Queen of Collaborations” is central to her philosophy. Thomas believes that “together, we can achieve far more than any of us can alone”. She has built her career on bringing people together for collective empowerment, from her many multi-author books to her media network.
Continuous Empowerment: She actively provides coaching, workshops, and resources to help others discover their potential, break through limiting beliefs, and turn their ideas into reality. Her work focuses on educating, empowering, and encouraging people to walk boldly in their own purpose.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been far from smooth—overcoming significant personal struggles is really at the heart of my story, and it’s the foundation for my “walking in purpose” philosophy. I’ve faced a lot of adversity in my life; I often describe it as going “from brokenness to healed.” Those challenges, that sense of brokenness, shaped who I am and inspired my transformation.

Healing from my past has been a central part of my work. I talk openly about mental and emotional health struggles, both in my public speaking and in my writing. My books, especially my poetry series like Silently Hurting Inside, dig deep into themes of pain, emotional struggle, and ultimately, healing.

Building visibility for Black and Brown authors is another passion of mine. It takes constant effort to break through the systemic barriers that so often keep our voices from being heard in traditional publishing. Creating a platform for marginalized authors is a responsibility I carry with pride, but it doesn’t come without its challenges.

Leading a global community, running a magazine, managing a media network, and authoring books—it all comes with considerable demands. Balancing these roles takes a lot, both logistically and emotionally, and I’ve certainly made my share of sacrifices along the way.

But I don’t see these struggles as roadblocks. I truly believe adversity can be a catalyst for growth. Every hardship has taught me something important, and it’s in overcoming them that I’ve been able to find and walk in my purpose. My journey has shown me—and I hope it shows others—that finding purpose often emerges from facing and rising above those hardships.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have used my personal journey of resilience and my passion for collaboration to build a diverse and impactful professional career focused on community empowerment and literary advocacy.

My Professional Career at a Glance
My career trajectory is built on the foundation of several key roles:

Founder of the African American Author Literacy Awareness Campaign (AAALAC): A global initiative dedicated to promoting literacy and celebrating Black and Brown authors, providing them with much-needed visibility.

CEO of Aspiring Authors Magazine: I lead a publication that serves as a dedicated platform for emerging writers and entrepreneurs to share their work and gain exposure within the community.

Visionary of DA Crew Podcast & Media Network: I established a media network that provides a voice and platform for women from diverse backgrounds to connect and share their stories globally.

Author and Publisher: I have personally written and collaboratively produced over 151 books, journals, and planners, creating accessible avenues for aspiring authors to publish their work.

Life Coach and Consultant: Through “Queen of Collaborations Life Coaching & Consultant LLC,” I professionally guide individuals in their pursuit of purpose and personal transformation.

My Philosophy: “Queen of Collaborations”
The core of my professional life and what sets me apart is my deep-seated belief that “together, we can achieve far more than any of us can alone.” I have engineered my entire career around this principle, focusing on creating opportunities for shared success rather than solo endeavors.
I thrive on acting as a “Visionary Queen”—bringing disparate individuals together to form powerful, supportive communities that lift each other up. My professional life is a testament to turning personal struggles into collective triumphs, and I am driven daily by the mission to educate, empower, and encourage my community to step boldly into their purpose.

What I Do and Specialize In

My work is rooted in education, empowerment, and encouragement—particularly within the world of literature and entrepreneurship. I specialize in collaborative publishing, where I bring together a diverse array of individuals to share their stories through multi-author books, journals, and planners. This approach allows so many unique voices to be heard collectively.

I’m also the visionary behind DA Crew Podcast & Media Network, a platform designed to empower women and give them the space to share their insights and experiences with a global audience. In addition, I’m deeply committed to literacy advocacy as the founder of the African American Author Literacy Awareness Campaign (AAALAC) and CEO of Aspiring Authors Magazine. Through these platforms, I provide crucial visibility and resources for underrepresented authors.

As a life coach and consultant, I guide individuals to break through limiting beliefs, discover their true purpose, and transform their ideas into reality. My passion lies in helping people see what’s possible for themselves.

What I’m Known For

I’m best known for my steadfast belief in the power of unity and shared experience. I truly believe that together, we can accomplish so much more than any of us ever could alone. This philosophy has earned me the nickname “Queen of Collaborations,” a name that really reflects my commitment to building strong communities and uplifting those around me.

What I’m Most Proud Of

My greatest pride comes from witnessing the real, positive impact of my work—watching the people I’ve coached and collaborated with achieve things they once thought impossible. For me, success means seeing lives transformed, stories told, and individuals growing and healing through the platforms I’ve created.

What Sets Me Apart

What truly sets me apart is my unique ability to serve as a conduit for change. I merge activism, literature, and community-building into one ongoing movement. I don’t just talk about empowerment; I create concrete opportunities—through magazines, a media network, and collaborative book series—for others to step into their own greatness. My deepest belief is that every story matters, and that by sharing our stories, we create pathways to healing, connection, and transformation.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons is the importance of empathy and understanding. I’ve learned that people come with unique perspectives, emotions, and backgrounds. So, it’s crucial to “listen” carefully—not just to the words, but to the intention and context behind them.

Pricing:

• Many free opportunities
• most services under $100
• nothing over $600

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.angelathomassmithbooks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dacrewpodcast23
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QueenofCollaborations
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/founderofaspiringauthorsmagazine/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dacrewpodcastmedianetwork
• Other: https://www.linktr.ee/queenofcollaborations