About

Aja, pronounced Asia, is a distinguished author known for her multi-award-winning book, Counterstory: The Rhetoric and Writing of Critical Race Theory (now in its second edition). As a critical race theorist and storyteller, her accessible and interdisciplinary work resonates with both community and academic audiences, bridging critical conversations on race and writing. Aja is a co-editor and co-founder, alongside Michele Eodice and Sandra Tarabochia, of the journal Writers: Craft and Context, which supports the exploration of diverse topics and writing genres. Additionally, Aja co-edits the University of Pittsburgh Press's series Composition, Literacy, and Culture with Stacey Waite, amplifying the voices of scholars and practitioners in the field of writing, rhetoric, and composition studies. Together, with her partner Robert O. Smith, Aja is co-author of The Origins of Critical Race Theory: The People and Ideas That Created a Movement (NYU Press, 2025) and Harmony and Harassment: A New Critical Race Theory Story (UC Press, 2026). Described as the “Bonnie & Clyde of CRT,” Martinez and Smith have several more books forthcoming on CRT and other topics.

Photo Credit: Marie Fox, Headshot Headquarters

Listen to Aja Talk all things Counterstory With CRT LUMINARY Daniel G. Solórzano on the

Resisting Erasure Podcast,

Hosted by Tanya J. Gaxiola Serrano