Nia I’man Smith is…
daughter
of Linda Ann Smith &
Anthony “Tony” Charles Smith.
sister
of Malik Yusef Nealy & Hasan Atiba Lyons
& Jason Smith.
granddaughter
of Coleen Smith & Levy C. & Minnie Nealy.
great-granddaughter
of Mama Louisa “Lou” & Papa Dennis Nealy.
great-niece
of Essie Nealy Manning.
Oakland born & raised.
former D.C. & Bed-Stuy resident.
Oni Ṣàngó.
lover of Black music & all things Black.
sometimes poet.
interdisciplinary Black musc scholar.
Ethnomusicology Ph.D. student.
radio dj.
creator of
THE BLACK CONNECTION.
#GETCONNECTED