Ashley C. Ford is an American writer, podcaster and educator who discusses topics including race, sexuality, and body image.

At around four years old, she moved to Columbia, Missouri, to live with her grandmother while her mother struggled in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

This period marked the beginning of her love for storytelling, as her grandmother taught her to read using a mix of the Bible and celebrity tabloids, igniting Ford's imagination and creativity.

Despite the complexities of her family dynamics, including a father in prison since her infancy, Ford's upbringing fostered a sense of resilience and a deep connection to storytelling that would later define her career.

Ford has written for publications including The Guardian, Elle, BuzzFeed, and Slate[4] as well as lifestyle blog A Cup of Jo.

[5][6] Much of her writing covers personal topics, including her life as a Black, queer writer; her history as a survivor of sexual assault; and her experiences with a family member in prison for most of her childhood.