Born to a Guyanese-American mother and a father who was a prominent art dealer specializing in the Harlem Renaissance, Smith was weaned on contrast. Her childhood oscillated between the stark brutalism of 1970s New York municipal buildings and the lush, sensual textures of Caribbean design. This dichotomy—rigid structure versus organic flow—remains the signature tension in all her work.
Her influence can be seen in the rise of other Black Muslim women leaders—from prison abolitionists to halal food cooperative founders—who cite her workshops and writings as their starting point. A new documentary, “Roses in Concrete,” featuring Smith’s work, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is expected to bring her story to a wider audience. sharifa jamila smith
In the world of performing arts, some performers simply play a part, while others seek to touch the very soul of their audience. , a Dutch actress and singer of Indonesian and Italian descent, belongs firmly in the latter category. With a career that began in childhood, Sharifa has transformed herself into a versatile storyteller who views the arts as a lens through which to examine the human psyche. A Multidisciplinary Powerhouse Born to a Guyanese-American mother and a father