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Nia B. Smith

@2ru_dezire

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Child of God! StL Raised, Zeta Rho Made, Finer 💙🕊, FA06, Deuce Anchor! HSSU Alumn🐝 #BlackWomanInTech @journey_with_nia

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🎭 WE’RE ON BROADWAYWORLD! AND WE’RE BACK IN REHEARSALS! 🙌🏾

The journey home continues!

I’m excited to share that Brothers of Affliction is officially listed on BroadwayWorld St. Louis! We’re also back in the rehearsal room, putting in the work to bring this powerful story to life.

After productions in Atlanta, Orlando, and Los Angeles, bringing this play back to my hometown of St. Louis means more than I can put into words.

This story explores brotherhood, trauma, love, and mental health in the Black community. It’s about the things we carry, the things we don’t say, and the healing that can happen when we finally start talking.

But we still need your help to get across the finish line! ❤️

We’re continuing to raise funds to cover production costs, and every donation, no matter the amount, makes a difference. If you’ve already donated, THANK YOU! If you haven’t, there’s still time to be part of this journey.

And even if you can’t give financially, sharing this post, spreading the word, or purchasing a ticket is a tremendous way to support.

🎭 BROTHERS OF AFFLICTION
📍 Greenfinch Theatre and Dive | St. Louis, MO
📅 November 5th–8th, 2026

🎟️ Tickets: BrothersOfAffliction.com

🎭 BroadwayWorld article: https://www.broadwayworld.com/st-louis/regional/Brothers-of-Affliction-4407997

❤️ DONATE: Link in Bio

We’ve come a long way, but we’re not finished yet. Let’s bring this story home together!

#BrothersOfAffliction #BroadwayWorld #StLouisTheatre #BlackTheatre #Blackmentalhealth by @2ru_dezire

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2 days ago

Deciding how and when to launch the Carl S. Smith Legacy Foundation has been an emotional journey for our family and we have finally begun the work of carrying his legacy forward.

Join us for Legacy Through Laughter as we celebrate with, family, friends, and everyone who hold truly holds him close.

Tickets are on sale now! We look forward to sharing stories, making new memories, and celebrating a man that gave so much to so many.

This will definitely be a night to remember don’t miss out

https://bit.ly/CSSLAL26 by @2ru_dezire

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6 days ago

Join family and friends as we celebrate the Life and continue the Legacy of Carl S. Smith Sr. Come and enjoy a night of laughter and learn what the Carl S. Smith Legacy Foundation will be launching in 2027!

Get your tickets to the comedy show: https://bit.ly/CSSLAL26

Your presence and support mean so much to our family. Laugh. Give. Build a Legacy.

Also join us on Saturday Nov. 7th at 2pm or 7pm to see Paris Crayton III Production Brother’s of Affliction you can purchase tickets at http://purplepass.com/brothersofaffliction

If you can’t catch it on the 7th check out the other dates!

Learn more about the play here: http://brothersofaffliction.com/ by @2ru_dezire

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12 days ago

🖤 ST. LOUIS, WE NEED YOUR HELP.

I’m asking my family, friends, community, and supporters to help us raise $10,000 to bring my brother’s powerful play, Brothers of Affliction, to St. Louis.

This is bigger than bringing a play to a stage.

This is about giving Black men a stage. A voice. A platform. A safe space to be heard.

Too often, Black men are expected to carry pain quietly, to be strong, keep moving, provide, protect, and persevere while conversations about their emotional well-being, healing, and mental health are pushed into the background.

Brothers of Affliction creates space for those conversations.

It gives voice to experiences that are too often silenced and reminds Black men that their stories, struggles, healing, and humanity deserve to be seen and heard.

We need to raise $10,000 to bring this important production to STL—and EVERY donation matters.

$10 helps.
$25 helps.
$50 helps.
$100 helps.
$1000s really help!
And most of all Sharing this post helps.

We don’t need everyone to give a lot. We need a lot of people willing to give what they can.

Let’s show what St. Louis can do when we rally behind Black men, Black art, mental wellness, and stories that deserve a platform.

🖤 Our Black men deserve more than our expectations of their strength. They deserve space to speak, heal, feel, and be heard.

Please donate, share, and tag someone who believes in this mission.

Help us raise $10,000 and bring Brothers of Affliction to St. Louis!

DONATE HERE:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/brothersofafflictionstl

#BrothersOfAffliction #BringBrothersOfAfflictionToSTL #BlackMenMatter #BlackMensMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #BlackMenHeal #SupportBlackArt #STL #StLouis #EveryDonationCounts by @2ru_dezire

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21 days ago

I’m FINALLY bringing one of my favorite plays home to St. Louis, and I’m taking my LA cast O’Bryan Neely, @elijahrashad__ and @theephilmcnair with me!!!

This November, Brothers of Affliction will make its Midwest premiere and I couldn’t be more excited!

This production is about more than putting on a show. I’m continuing the work of bringing theatre and mental health together, including post-show conversations with mental health professionals that create space for healing, reflection, and honest conversation.

My goal is to raise $10,000 to help cover production costs, travel and housing, technical needs, marketing, local artists and crew, and stipends for the mental health professionals joining us.

If this story, this mission, or my work has ever meant something to you, I’m asking for your help.
Donate if you can. Share if you can. Both matter.

Brothers of Affliction Greenfinch Theater and Dive. St. Louis | November 5th–8th, 2026

Link to donate in bio.

Thank you to my fam @2ru_dezire and @iamyourgriot for helping the dream come true.

#BrothersOfAffliction #StLouis #BlackTheatre #MentalHealth #SupportTheArts by @2ru_dezire

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22 days ago

That one time my school sent me and the other teachers to Jordan… never a dull moment 😂 by @2ru_dezire

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a month ago

My Queen!!! The Mother of the Groom Geraldine Smith I know Carl S. Smith was smiling down saying MY MY MY!!! 🥰🥰🥰 The Smith men definitely have a refined taste in women! Beautiful inside and out! Carl Ceejay Smith Jr. you did amazing finding your good thang Ta'Jha Riley!! I love yall 🥰 by @2ru_dezire

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a month ago

Happy 55th @missymisdemeanorelliott 💙💜 by @2ru_dezire

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4 months ago

Listen here! IYKYK 😎 5 more days 🥰 by @2ru_dezire

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4 months ago

Thursday Night Kickback wit the crew! 💪🏾 Pre-Bday Celebrations 😎 by @2ru_dezire

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5 months ago

Pull up!!! taken in HSSU - Emerson Performance Center by @2ru_dezire

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6 months ago

by @2ru_dezire

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6 months ago