AUTHOR & CO-FOUNDER

Nakia Montgomery, known as Kia, was born in Oak Cliff, Dallas, TX, as the third of eleven siblings. With a passion for reading ignited by her 5th-grade teacher and librarian, Kia delved into the works of Maya Angelou, Elie Wiesel, Danielle Steele, James Patterson, and her idol, Nikki Giovanni.

Kia discovered her love for writing in middle school, which became a crucial outlet during her challenging adolescent years. By high school, she had combined her passions for reading and writing, setting the foundation for her future career.

Despite lacking formal college education, Kia attended local library arts and crafts classes, where she was introduced to painting, drawing, and cartoon illustration, broadening her artistic horizons.

Kia aspires to be a renowned writer and a motivational speaker for young women, encouraging them to harness their potential through focused dreams, discipline, and direction.

In addition to her literary pursuits, Kia is a mother of two and a devoted grandmother to Levi, Olivia Grace, Darin Dion, and Sage Smocks. Her journey is ongoing, and she invites others to join her as she continues to fulfill her purpose.

Discover more about Kia and her inspiring journey.

EDITOR IN CHIEF & CO-FOUNDER

Briantria (Bri) Smocks, born in Dallas, Texas, grew up valuing family, education, and southern hospitality. These experiences propelled her to become a first-generation college graduate and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She holds degrees in English (BA) and Education (MEd) from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Educational Leadership with Principal Certification from the University of North Texas. Bri is certified to teach English (7-12), Gifted and Talented, and English as a Second Language.

Her initial goal was to become an educational administrator, but a move to Long Beach, California, in 2019 to support her son's acting and modeling career shifted her focus. Despite the change, Bri remains dedicated to student and family advocacy. She served as the 2020-2021 President of Long Beach USD’s HeadStart Policy Council and held various educational roles from 2016 to 2019, including SAT and ACT Proctor, Interim English Department Head, and District Curriculum Writer.

As the mother of Levi, the main character of Levi&Toonk, Bri now channels her professional efforts into the success of this startup. She oversees editing, marketing, social media, operations, financials, and communications. Additionally, she is a member of the Black Excellence Society, a premier Black talent incubator.

Beyond her professional commitments, Bri and her husband have been married since August 2014. She enjoys reading cozy novels and traveling with her family.

Discover more about Bri as she balances entrepreneurship, motherhood, and social justice advocacy.

Follow @levismocks on Instagram to see Levi’s journey in the entertainment industry and childhood adventures!

ILLUSTRATOR

Jolie Brownell is a lover of everything creative, her favorite modes being poetic writing, illustrating, and designing. Yet, it's not just about the art for Jolie; the message being portrayed is just as important. Centering her work around her core identities, it is integral for her projects to speak on topics of BIPOC empowerment, social justice, and liberation. 

All the way from Haiti, Jolie has touched various parts of the world, but now is jumping back and forth between her home, Portland, Oregon, and LA, California where she graduated from Loyola Marymount University. Majoring in Women and Gender Studies, and minoring in African American Studies and Sociology, Jolie hopes to not only use this education to better inform her art, but also as a stepping stone in pursuing a career in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consulting. 

Between freelancing and studying you can find Jolie binge-watching her favorite shows, FaceTiming with her friends, listening to her favorite podcasts, jamming to Beyonce, taking a good-old nap, and spending time with her family. 

Follow Jolie on Instagram to keep up with her latest creative works. 

ILLUSTRATOR

Christina Moreland is an independent designer, illustrator and visual storyteller. Originally hailing from a small and cozy town in Germany called Niederwerrn, in 2021 she relocated from Dallas, Texas to Los Angeles, California.

With a focus on brand design and illustration, Christina’s portfolio straddles a fine line between whimsical and refined. Her genuine passion for storytelling shows in her use of narrative as the driving force behind her brand development, creative direction, graphic design, and illustration work. As further proof of her talent, she graduated from Texas A&M University of Commerce with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art Direction.

Besides doodling and shamelessly watching horrible reality TV shows, she also enjoys traveling, drawing comics, watching cartoons, stuffing her face with street tacos, listening to “lo-fi hip hop chill study” music and kissing her pup on the forehead.

Follow Christina on Instagram to keep up with their creative work.