Dakota has a passion for helping others and telling stories. After over fifteen years in social work, Kota decided to combine their passions into Inked in Gray, the indie press that seeks stories that need to be heard. Kota is working on works of their own – blending life experiences with the surreal in The Lessons We Keep, and musings about mental health, survival, and overcoming darkness. Kota is also CFO of the amazing nonprofit known as WriteHive and the Indie Ink Awards, which highlights books by small presses and self-published authors.