We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nia Bailey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nia below.
Nia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?
I belong to a family of four individuals: my father, Curry J. Bailey III, my mother, Narda J. Fields, and my older brother, Jarrod K. Hill. Throughout my life, my family has consistently shown me love and made numerous sacrifices for my well-being. I share a special bond with my mother, considering her my best friend, and I am also a daddy’s girl. Additionally, my brother and I are best friends. This profound love is the foundation I was born into, and it continues to flourish to this day.
My family has provided me with the opportunity to attend top-notch schools and flourish in my passions. What sets my father, Curry, apart is his constant reminder of our African roots, instilling in me a sense of pride in being Black and a beautiful chocolate/brown girl. He has always been a voice for the voiceless and maintains an optimistic outlook on life.
My mother, Narda, despite her upbringing in Abbotsford Projects, is an accomplished author, entrepreneur, and chef, running her own successful meal prep business called More Than Kale Meal Prep and Catering. She has always encouraged me to express my opinions and embrace my freedom.
As for my brother, Jarrod, he has created a safe haven for me. I have witnessed his dedication in the corporate world and his subsequent venture as the owner of 4 Hills Junk Removal. Moreover, he is an exceptional husband to my sister-in-love, Mercedes, and a loving father to my beautiful nieces, Quinn and Jade.
This is the kind of love that has been poured into me, shaping who I am today.
When I was a sophomore in high school, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This life-changing event sparked a clear vision of my future career path. I knew then that I wanted to work in the same profession that had helped my father, so I pursued a career as a Radiation Therapist. I dedicated myself to furthering my education, obtaining both a master’s and doctorate degree.
Working in the field of oncology opened my eyes to a multitude of experiences. I consistently encountered young women seeking radiation treatments, which deeply affected me. Among them, I had the privilege of meeting extraordinary women who unfortunately lost their lives to breast cancer. Their names were Jeanees, Chiara, Love, Udana, Kywannia, and Jaclynn. Jaclynn, in particular, was a dear friend who passed away at the age of 33 due to Triple Negative Breast Cancer. It was her untimely passing that inspired me to create a documentary, aiming to shed light on the stories of women battling breast cancer.
Thanks to the invaluable contributions of Nahjee Grant from DayDream Kreative Studios, Judy Smith Bogad from Sequel Images, Yanci De La O, More Than Kale Meal Prep and Catering, 4 Hills Junk Removal, 4 Hills Photography, and MUMM Inc, we were able to capture the stories of three remarkable women and their breast cancer journeys in our documentary titled “A Letter To My Sisters: A Breast Cancer Documentary For Young Women.”
Our first interviewee was Janique Rivera-McGriff, a woman of Puerto Rican, Chinese, and Jamaican heritage. Diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer at the age of 29, Janique’s story is incredibly impactful. She shares her powerful experience of self-advocacy and how she advocated for herself throughout her entire journey.
Brenda Dorantes, the second woman we interviewed, is a Mexican woman whose interview is conducted in Spanish with English subtitles. She received her diagnosis in her 30s. My friend Yanci kindly traveled from California to Pennsylvania to interview Brenda. In her interview, Brenda shares her journey as a resilient Mexican woman who finally prioritizes herself.
Lynne Mitchell, the third woman we interviewed, has Swedish, German, and Irish heritage. She was diagnosed at the age of 41. Lynne shares her remarkable story as a single mother who had no choice but to fight. Her story is truly inspiring.
We also acknowledged Jaclynn, as she is the reason behind the creation of this documentary.
Viewers of the documentary have engaged in discussions about various topics such as family cancer history, genetic counseling and testing, clinical trials, body awareness, advocacy, and many other important subjects. The ultimate objective of the documentary has always been early detection and prevention, with the aim of saving lives.
We were fortunate to have another incredible opportunity to interview Erica Jo Robinson, a remarkable woman who shared her story of being diagnosed with stage 4b Adenocarcinoma. Her narrative is truly compelling and impactful.
Additionally, I blessed to work with an exceptional team, including the talented violinist Eunice China, the amazing make-up artist and boutique owner Raquel “Glammy” Reed, and the brilliant cinematographers and videographers Christian Francis, Ryan Pace, and Nathan Pace. Together, we were able to film at the stunning Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, thanks to the generosity of Lyn Lehman.
Throughout this incredible journey, I have had the privilege of meeting and collaborating with numerous extraordinary individuals and organizations. Some of these include TOUCH The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, My Density Matters, The Pink Lemonade Stand Challenge, Chrysalis Initiative, Panacea, Still Rise Farms, Dr. Monique Gary, For The Love of My Gurls, Unite for HER, HIS Breast Cancer, Live Like Lukas, Inc, Ancora ai, Jeannine Canino, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, My Sisters Keeper, Beautee Boss Network, Walking In Them Shoes LLC, 215Magazine, My Faculty Gene, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Live Life Better, Stand Up 2 Breast Cancer, Society Media, Diana Melody, Amby’s Creations, Nicolle Surratte, Shea Robinson, JM Prints, and many others. Each of these individuals and organizations, whether working individually, collectively, or collaboratively, share a common mission of promoting healthy, prosperous, and abundant lives for ourselves, our families, our friends, and the world.
During my journey, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with DayDream Kreative Studios and Jodi Faber to write a children’s book. This interactive book tells the story of a young girl who, along with her brother Jarrod, Mother Narda, and Father Curry, embarks on a journey to help the homeless. Their courage and willingness to assist others stem from the teachings of Nia and Jarrod’s grandmother, Loraine Byrd Fields-Latham, affectionately known as Smiley. Smiley instilled in them the belief that the only time it is acceptable to look down on someone is when you are extending a helping hand down to help them up! Inspired by Smiley, they carry on her legacy and continue to make a difference in the lives of others. THIS IS A TRUE STORY! (Sound familiar?)
Furthermore, I had the privilege of establishing a nonprofit organization called Agape— Finding Your Purpose, Incorporating Your Faith, alongside my parents. Our mission is to provide nourishment, clothing, and companionship to the homeless community in Philadelphia. Our aim is to demonstrate the unconditional love (Agape) that God has for us and encourages us to extend to others. This principle was instilled in my family and me by Smiley.
My ultimate aspiration in life is to always please and obey God. I strive to be a voice, a bridge, and a source of assistance. My purpose is to exemplify the Agape love that God has bestowed upon me. It’s as simple as that!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Nia Imani Bailey, a person who cherishes a profound love for the Lord, my family, friends, and the community. In addition to my passions for dancing, traveling, watching basketball, and exploring my Ethiopian and Cherokee heritage, I am also deeply interested in learning about my family’s history. I embrace my individuality and simply strive to be myself.
My purpose in life remains steadfast: to lend a helping hand to those in need, offer care and support to the sick, and be a voice for those who are often overlooked or unheard.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The Bible has had a profound impact on my life, particularly as I strive to deepen my faith. I firmly believe that the teachings and principles found within the Bible serve as a guiding blueprint for ALL aspects of my life, including management, philosophy, and critical thinking. It is through the wisdom and guidance found in the Bible that I seek to shape my approach to these areas and continue to grow in my faith.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I resonate deeply with the wisdom shared by Mother Teresa. It is true that people may judge us, fail to understand us, or question our motives. However, it is important to remember that their opinions do not define us. We should strive to forgive others, be kind, and act with honesty, regardless of how others may perceive or respond to us.
Living by these principles allows us to stay true to our values and maintain a sense of integrity, regardless of external judgments or opinions.
“PEOPLE ARE OFTEN UNREASONABLE AND SELF-CENTERED
FORGIVE THEM ANYWAY
IF YOU ARE KIND PEOPLE MAY ACCUSE YOU OF ULTERIOR MOTIVES
BE KIND ANYWAY
IF YOU ARE HONEST PEOPLE MAY CHEAT YOU BE HONEST ANYWAY
IF YOU FIND HAPPINESS PEOPLE MAY BE JEALOUS
BE HAPPY ANYWAY
THE GOOD YOU DO TODAY MAY BE FORGOTTEN TOMORROW
DO GOOD ANYWAY
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU HAVE AND IT MAY NEVER BE ENOUGH
GIVE YOUR BEST ANYWAY
FOR YOU SEE IN THE END IT IS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD
IT WAS NEVER BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY”
- Mother Theresa
Contact Info:
- Website: drniaimanibailey.com
- Instagram: @drniimani
- Facebook: Dr. Nia Imani
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nia-bailey-dpa-m-a-ed-rt-t-219a2ba6
- Other: Instagram: @alettertomysisters2022 @agapeFYPIYF17
Image Credits
Jonhny Rocket Beyond Graphics