Angela (Kidd) Shinozaki ’99 is a woman of many talents. She is a writer, illustrator, and librarian, as well as an advocate for cultural appreciation and understanding. But before all of that success, she was a student at St. Ursula Academy. Angie followed in her sister Amber (Kidd) Powers' ’97 footsteps and attended SUA after her time at Little Flower elementary school. She was also drawn to the school's focus on empowering young women.

While at SUA, Angie was a member of the track team all four years. She loved the balance of being an individual runner while still being part of a team. Her coaches recognized her leadership skills and made her a captain of the team. This experience helped Angie overcome her shyness and develop her leadership skills. Angie’s younger sister Bridgette (Kidd) McCullough ’01 also attended SUA, which made it nice for Angie to have a sister around.

After graduating from SUA, Angie pursued a degree in written communication from Eastern Michigan University with the intention of becoming a journalist. However, she realized that she wanted to be the story, not just write the story. She then obtained a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Wayne State University and worked as a librarian for several years before shifting her focus to writing and illustration.

Angie’s dream of becoming an author began when she was a child, and she never gave up on it. Today, she has two published books under her belt. The Healing Star is a novel for readers in grades 3-6, and Yasuko and the Dream Eater is a picture book. She shares that her ultimate goal in writing is to give her readers a safe space to own their life experiences. As a storyteller, she believes that everyone has a story to tell, and her writing allows people to understand and accept their stories.

Angie’s unique perspective on life also comes from her personal experiences. She is married to a Japanese man, and their daughter is being raised in two different cultures. Angie hopes to inspire other families like hers, where cultural differences are appreciated and valued. She believes that experiencing different cultures can open new perspectives and make the world a better place.

Angie is an inspirational woman who followed her dreams. She credits her time at SUA for helping her develop her leadership skills and empowering her to become the person she is today. Through her writing and advocacy for cultural appreciation, she continues to inspire and encourage others to pursue their dreams and embrace their unique stories.

To learn more about Angie and her work, visit her website at akiddwrites.com or follow her on Facebook at A. Kidd, Children’s Author.