Taiia (Tee-eye-yah) is an author, editor, book coach and self-publishing consultant. She teaches coaches, thought leaders and experts how to use their experiences and expertise to write and publish brand-building non-fiction books. 

Prior to starting Smart Girl Media, she was the Entertainment Director for Latina and Latina.com. Taiia has also held senior editor positions at Juicy, XXL and ESSENCE. 

Her byline has appeared in EBONY, Black Enterprise, NV, Bustle.com and MadameNoire.com. Her agency’s previous clients include TIDAL, Refinery29, Wendy Williams Hunter Foundation, Columbia University, Black Girls Rock! and Verizon. 

As an interviewer and on-camera host, Taiia has been in conversation with top talent, including Michelle Obama, La La Anthony, Mary J. Blige, Zendaya, Rita Moreno, Fergie, Taraji P. Henson, Judy Reyes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock, Nas and Kelly Rowland. 

In 2022, Taiia launched S.T.E.P. Into Your Story™, a 12-week writing and coaching intensive for experts ready to write a book that positions their expertise, propels their brand and prepares them for visibility. The S.T.E.P. Into Your Story™ book will debut April 2023. 

Taiia graduated from Johnson C. Smith University with a B.A. in mass communications and earned a publishing certificate from the Columbia Journalism Publishing Course. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.