Today we launch “Voices of Firefly,” a platform elevating the voices of talented and underrepresented leaders in different communities and across a multitude of identities. Each month, we’re excited to hand the mic to next-generation leaders and activists from all over the world so you can learn from them and follow their lead in transforming the culture around us.

It’s an honor to kick things off with Actor, Singer, Writer, and Activist Nia Madison Thompson. Known as Authentic Nia to fans of her YouTube channel, Nia’s Black Girl Magic, when not in school or on set Nia celebrates Black brilliance every day across all social media platforms. Her most recent creative endeavor is this powerful protest poem, WHAT IF. Watch this strong yet simple reminder of the legacy and impact left by Black Activists of the past and present.

WHAT IF: A Protest Poem

The Inspiration Behind WHAT IF

During this past summer’s #BlackLivesMatter protests, Nia wanted to join her community in the demonstrations. But with her mother being high risk for COVID -19, she couldn’t participate in the protests in-person. Thus, WHAT IF was born. Hear how her form of “socially distanced” protest came to fruition.

Nia’s Core Values

Our core values drive our actions. Hear what Nia has to say about her two major core values, and how they drive her activism.

Nia Thompson is a very busy working actor! She shared with us a handful of her exciting projects coming out soon.

Nia’s Instagram Takeover is March 9-10!

Hear more from Nia when she takes over Firefly’s Instagram page March 9-10. Please follow along with us as she shares her voice, values, and culture, and don’t forget to connect with Nia on Instagram and over on YouTube.