Kia M.
Author/Founder/Co-Owner
Nakia Montgomery, known to family and close friends as Kia, was born in Dallas (Oak Cliff), TX as the third of eleven siblings.
While she has no formal college background, she attended T. G. Terry Elementary where she first realized her love for reading. It was her 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Cruz, and librarian, Ms. Boykins, who stroked the imagination and creativity within her. This is when she began reading literary works by Maya Angelou, Elie Wiesel, Danielle Steele, James Patterson, and most especially her idol, Nikki Giovanni. As Kia journeyed into middle school at W. H. Atwell, she found a new obsession! WRITING! Her passion for fiction and biographies helped her cope through very difficult adolescent years. By the time she entered high school, where she attended David W. Carter, she joined together both reading and writing knowing then that such would be her life's reward!
To offset a few of her missed educational opportunities, Kia attended her local library which offered a plethora of arts and craft classes for free to lower income neighborhoods. One summer while visiting the Camp Wisdom branch, she was introduced to painting, drawing, and cartoon illustration! This opened her eyes to another level of artistic expression!
Kia not only envisions herself being a famous, well-known writer, but she also aspires to become a motivational speaker to young ladies who may not realize that their potential starts with a focused dream, discipline, and direction.
While Kia enjoys celebrating life through the pen, she takes pleasure in being a mother to two grown children. She is also a dedicated grandmother to Levi, the book's most beloved character of Levi&Toonk, along with Olivia Grace and Darin Dion (children from her son Champ) along with Arri (Levi's heavenly brother) & Sage Smocks (Levi's rainbow baby).
Her journey may have started years ago, but the road ahead is the trip worth traveling!
Discover more about her as she pursues her passion to fulfill her purpose.
Bri Smocks, M. Ed.
Editor in Chief/Co-Owner
Briantria (Bri) Smocks was born in Dallas, Texas where she spent her formative years learning the importance of family, education, and the gems of southern hospitality. Such experiences helped her achieve several goals such as becoming a first-generation college graduate and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She earned two degrees from Southern Methodist University (Bachelor of Arts in English; Master of Education) and a degree from the University of North Texas (Master of Educational Leadership with Principal Certification). She is also certified to teach: English 7-12, Gifted and Talented, and English as a Second Language. Her goal was to become an educational administrator until she and her family moved to Long Beach, California in June 2019 to advance her son's acting and modeling career.
Still, her commitment to student and family advocacy is genuine. She was the 2020-2021 President of Long Beach USD’s HeadStart Policy Council and held the following roles between 2016 and 2019: SAT and ACT Proctor, Interim English Department Head, Team Lead for 10th grade English, District Curriculum Writer, Evening Credit Recovery Instructor, UIL Sponsor, Senior Intervention Committee Chair, Master Schedule Committee Chair, and Language Proficiency Assessment Chair.
As the mother of the main character, Levi, she has now dedicated her professional endeavors to the success of Levi&Toonk. She is fueled by her role as business manager for the startup overseeing editing, marketing, social media, operations, financials, and communications. Bri is also a member of the Black Excellence Society, the world’s premier Black talent incubator.
Aside from Bri's professional acknowledgements and responsibilities, she and her husband have been married since August 2014. She enjoys quality time with a cozy novel and traveling to new places with her family.
Discover more about her as a young entrepreneur balancing motherhood and advocating for social justice.
Follow @levismocks on Instagram to see him up close and personal as he navigates the entertainment industry and childhood shenanigans!
2nd Collection Illustrator: JOLIE BROWNELL
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.
1st Collection Illustrator & Brand Designer: CHRISTINA MORELAND
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.