Aytia, originally born as Shelquandra Poitier in Miami, FL, faced early adversity. Raised by her father Shelton, a community rapper, and absent mother Sabrina, her childhood was marked by significant challenges. At the age of two, Shelquandra suffered second-degree burns while in her mother’s care, prompting hospitalization and a subsequent call to DCFS due to signs of abuse. This intervention led to Shelquandra being placed into foster care under the auspices of the Children’s Home Society.
Just before her third birthday, Shelquandra found herself in the care of Carol Tarpley, a retired chef from Rochester, NY, who was 57 years old at the time and had previously fostered six adult children. Despite hopes for stability, Shelquandra encountered abuse from Ms. Tarpley and her adult children soon after her arrival. By age six, Shelquandra’s behavior issues resulted in her expulsion from elementary school, exacerbated by diminishing communication with her social worker.
Shelquandra bravely disclosed the abuse to her teachers upon transitioning to a new school. As a result, she was placed into foster care for the second time, this instance marking a separation from her brother.
After spending a year in various placements, Shelquandra was later reunited with her mother, Ms. Tarpley, and her brother. Following this reunion, Shelquandra was formally adopted, and her name was changed to Aytia. During this period, she attended six different schools across Miami Gardens (Carol City) and Hialeah, FL.
Throughout these years, Aytia navigated significant challenges, including being prescribed psychotropic medications and regularly visiting a psychiatrist, despite being misdiagnosed with ADHD. Aytia was sexually, physically, and verbally abused. By the age of 13, Aytia found herself in foster care for the third time, this time permanently separated from her brother.
At the age of nineteen, Aytia underwent a transformative period in her life, rededicating herself to Christ. She achieved her GED and embarked on a college education while securing her own apartment and commencing employment. Since then, Aytia has made significant strides as a lobbyist over the past three years, playing a pivotal role in advancing legislative bills aimed at enhancing the child welfare system.
Her advocacy efforts have been extensive, collaborating closely with Florida’s Community-Based Care organizations, legislators, the President of the Senate, the Secretary of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and the DCF ombudsman. Aytia has actively participated in key events such as Children’s Week at the Capitol and DCF Summits in Orlando, FL. Her leadership as Legislative Chair for a youth-led organization further underscored her commitment to national advocacy on child abuse issues.
Aytia’s influence extends beyond legislative arenas into community engagement, where she has partnered with prominent organizations and agencies including the Broward County School Board, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Her contributions to public awareness include speaking engagements on human trafficking indicators and collaboration with the Broward County Human Trafficking Coalition and the State Attorney’s Office. Her work has garnered media recognition in publications such as The Miami Herald and The Tampa Bay Times, and she has been honored with a proclamation from the City of Lauderhill.
Her international efforts have included consulting for city and country officials from West Park, Tamarac, Lauderhill, as well as the Republic of Congo, Haiti, Nigeria, Senegal, Gambia, and Algeria. Aytia has also provided guidance to boards, film directors, and production teams for movies, series, and documentaries, including writing and directing Public Service Announcements (PSAs) for the Broward Human Trafficking Coalition (BHTC).
Previously serving on the steering committee for the Broward Human Trafficking Collaborative Impact, Aytia has also served as a social worker specializing in survivor mentoring and life coaching with Citrus Mental Health Networks – Broward Chance Program and Ark of Freedom Alliance. Currently, she holds the role of Survivor Consultant at International Rescue Committee, continuing to broaden her professional experiences and impact.
