Aisha Karefa-Smart was born in New York City and raised in a house where famous African-American writers, artists and musicians often congregated. Her uncle, the late James Baldwin, when not busy writing his next novel in the South of France, often had all night literary and political "jam sessions" with other world famous black writers such as Amiri Baraka, Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. Influenced by the high level of art, African-American, African and European literature and culture that Aisha grew up experiencing, Aisha went on to perform in various plays and musicals as a member of Dr. Glory Van Scott's Children's Theater, The Harlem Theater Company and The Falcons Dance Troupe in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Aisha is also an event planner and has organized events for various fortune 500 companies. Aisha is a professional Event Consultant and currently resides in Washington DC.