Conversations with Petra Sherbin-Fox

Today we’d like to introduce you to Petra Sherbin-Fox.

Hi Petra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Petra — a mama of three, an Air Force wife, a proud Brooklyn girl with Russian and Jamaican roots, and a woman who’s always been moved by stories. I grew up speaking Russian first, but culture has always been my true language. From early on, I knew storytelling wasn’t just about entertainment — it was about survival, memory, and connection.

I started The Lit Twis’t because I was tired of not seeing us on the shelves. Black stories — especially by Black women — deserve to be front and center. This wasn’t just a cute idea or a side hustle. It was a response to a gap I felt deep in my bones. A way to take up space, to say “we’re here,” and to pour into community through literature that affirms who we are.

As a military spouse, I’ve had to build and rebuild home in so many places. But no matter where I landed, books always went with me. They helped me stay grounded, stay connected, and stay me. Still, no matter the city, the shelves told the same story: we were missing. That silence? It spoke volumes. So I did something about it.

In 2023, I started a book club called House of Soul — a space for women to come together, read, talk, and heal through the words of Black women and women of color. It started small but grew fast. The energy, the love, the need — it was undeniable. That community is what sparked the idea for The Lit Twis’t.

On January 26, 2025, I rolled out The Lit Twis’t Mobile Bookstore — a vibe on wheels dedicated to celebrating Black stories, sharing soul-filled books, and showing up for community wherever I go. I wanted to move with the culture, literally — to pull up in neighborhoods, events, and cities and say: “We’re here, and we’re reading.”

From Phoenix to wherever the road takes me next, the love has been real. And this is just the beginning. You can find The Lit Twis’t posted up at community events, pop-ups, and linking arms with local-owned businesses — not just selling books, but showing up with intention. When I pull up, it’s more than a mobile bookstore. It’s soul work. For me, storytelling is soul care, and literacy is liberation. Plain and simple.

Through signature events like Soulference and The Soul Food Retreat, I bring people together to read, reflect, and reset. It’s where my gifts as an astrologer, life coach, and community builder all come together. These gatherings aren’t just events — they’re experiences. Rooted in culture, steeped in intention, and designed to feel like home.

Every book I stock, every event I curate, and every story I amplify is grounded in one truth: literacy is the cornerstone of our communities. It’s how we connect, how we pass down truth, and how we make sure our stories aren’t just told — but told by us, in our voice, on our terms.

The Lit Twis’t is more than a bookstore. It’s a movement. A mobile love letter to Black storytelling. A space where culture is honored, where we take up space boldly, and where Black women’s voices are seen, heard, and celebrated.

This is my legacy in motion — building culture, creating belonging, and making sure our stories never get left off the shelf again.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It Hasn’t Been a Smooth Ride — But It’s Been Worth Every Step

Building The Lit Twis’t has been one of the most fulfilling journeys of my life, but I won’t pretend it’s been easy. Behind the scenes, it’s been layered — deeply personal, challenging, and constantly evolving. One of the biggest hurdles has been fleshing out the vision and figuring out how to execute at a high level while staying rooted in our mission. Every decision, every product, every event — it has to align with our initiative to elevate and represent Black voices through literature. That intentionality takes time, reflection, and care.

Funding has been another major challenge. Accessing capital to build a platform like this — one that’s not just a mobile bookstore but a cultural experience — takes resources. And as a first-time founder in a space that doesn’t always see our value, I’ve had to get creative and resilient. We’re not just selling books; we’re creating space, building community, and telling stories that the world has too often ignored.

Then there’s the team — or the process of finding the right people to grow with. I’ve had to really lean into understanding my strengths as a CEO and where I need support. Learning when to outsource, when to delegate, and when to trust others with my vision has been critical. As a founder, it’s easy to try and do it all — but I’ve learned that building something sustainable requires building with others.

And most importantly — there’s the harmony. Creating harmony as a mother of three, a wife, a friend, a full-time employee, and a business owner has been the most challenging part of it all. During the same year I was developing this business and launching this brand, my son was being recruited for college. It was his senior year — filled with tours, applications, decisions, and graduation. On top of that, I was managing the schedules of three children, supporting my husband, maintaining relationships, and still working my nine-to-five — a job I love and am deeply committed to.

Juggling it all hasn’t been easy — and there have been moments where I’ve questioned whether I could do it. But getting through each obstacle, overcoming each hurdle, and continuing to build with purpose — that’s been the most rewarding part. Every challenge has been a lesson. Every moment of doubt has led to clarity. And every sacrifice has reminded me of why I started: to build a space that reflects us, serves us, and tells our stories on our terms.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m most known for being a connector. I move through life with deep intention, always rooted in collaboration and community. What drives me most is bringing people together — especially within our culture — Black women, Black men, and people of color who are all working to shift the narrative, build legacy, and change the trajectory of our collective future. I’m passionate about laying the groundwork so our children can inherit something meaningful and powerful — and so they can pass the baton with pride.

I’m constantly creating spaces where Black women can simply be — where they are safe, respected, celebrated, and loved on. Whether they’re navigating a high or working through a low, I want them to know they’re seen and held. My work centers around helping women connect, grow, and build relationships that can transform their lives — personally, spiritually, and professionally.

Professionally, I serve as a Senior Customer Success Manager, a role I’m deeply passionate about. I love what I do — building strong teams, helping people grow, and finding creative ways to support our clients’ long-term success. I serve as a strategic partner to our clients by deeply understanding their goals, aligning internal teams across sales, product, and support, and driving both retention and meaningful expansion. I also contribute to team training, process improvements, and creating a seamless customer experience from start to finish.

Outside of work, one of my greatest joys is curating experiences like The Soulference and The Soul Food Retreat. These gatherings were designed to give Black women a luxurious space to exhale, unplug, and feel completely free — whether they want to connect deeply or just relax without obligation. It’s about creating space that honors exactly who they are in the moment, without pressure or performance.

I’m also a wife and a proud mother of three. I deeply love my family, and that love pours over into how I show up in community. The balance isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. I believe in supporting others and extending that support far beyond my home — building cultural community wherever I go.

Literacy is another core passion of mine. I truly believe reading expands the mind and unlocks the imagination — especially for our children. Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, storytelling is a powerful tool of expression. I care deeply about amplifying Black women’s voices and ensuring our stories are told in our voices, on our terms, and from our point of view.

And lastly, I’m also an astrologer. I move from a spiritual space in everything I do — grounding my work in alignment, clarity, and purpose.

Whether I’m leading in my nine-to-five, hosting a retreat, mothering my children, or guiding others through astrology and storytelling, I’m always working to connect the pieces and bring people closer to themselves, each other, and the future we all deserve.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
One piece of advice I’d give any entrepreneur or business owner just starting out is this: always move from a heart space. When you’re clear about your “why” and rooted in passion, it becomes your anchor—especially when things get hard. And they will get hard. But when your work is aligned with your purpose, the challenges become more meaningful and a little easier to endure.

Also, give yourself permission to grow. You won’t have all the answers in the beginning, and that’s okay. Stay curious, stay connected to your community, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most importantly, trust yourself. You started this journey for a reason—don’t lose sight of that. The vision was put on your heart for a reason- love that vision so much that you want to share it with the world! Do it- even if you do it scared!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thelittwist.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelit.twist/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/RZCzGH_gORA?feature=shared