I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to James Jr. and Jeannine Smith. Growing up, my family moved from project housing developments to project housing developments, which shaped much of my perspective on life and resilience. In 1992, my second-grade teacher, Ms. Burke, encouraged me to write about my holiday vacation. I could barely read, and I didn’t have the confidence to write. Ms. Burke handed me a gift that would get me through the toughest parts of my childhood—belief in my own voice.

 

I graduated with a GED from Cincinnati Public School and later attended Cincinnati State Technical Community College. Initially, I pursued a business degree, but my passion for history and literature led me to shift my focus to liberal arts. Those studies inspired me to outline and eventually write my debut novel, Saving Lucy.

 

Saving Lucy delves into themes of survival, family, and inner strength, reflecting much of my own life’s journey. Writing that book taught me about my own capacity for growth, both as a storyteller and as a person. As a progressive thinker and voter, I believe strongly in using stories to uplift marginalized voices and explore themes of empowerment and hope.

 

I’m just like any other human being with a dream—making my dreams a reality. I am working on my next novel, where I continue exploring complex characters and real-world struggles.