Existing At The Intersection of Style, Substance & Storytelling: Intimate Reflections From Black-American Journalist Jamir Smith
Pictured: Jamir Smith at SXSW 2026
This article was drafted by Norman Busigu
It was on a cool early-autumn evening in Midtown Atlanta where fate would arbitrarily decide that Jamir Smith (an accomplished media personality, culture journalist, podcast host and red carpet correspondent) and I would cross paths for the first time. Our meeting point was at Politan Row at Colony Square - a trendy open plan food hall/venue where the Kickback party which officially commenced the ForbesBLK 2025 Summit was taking place.
Just after finishing accreditation and collecting my pass, I turned around and was immediately struck by the very pronounced outfit worn by the man queuing up directly behind me. Without saying a word, Jamir had made an undeniably suave and striking statement about who he was and what he represented… As they say, dressing well is a form of good manners, right? And with his grey Hampton jumper, white trousers with black pinstripes and snazzy sunset-tinted shades combo (which all came together in clutch I must say!), this immediately informed me that his attention to social etiquette, styling and skill of visual curation were all top notch. His aesthetics also had the dual effect of filing me with intrigue as to who he was - and without knowing anything about him, I just knew this would be a worthwhile conversation - and that had to introduce myself at all costs.
Pictured: Jamir Smith & Norman Busigu in Atlanta
Funnily enough, as I would come to learn, Jamir (as he explained to Pat Harvey during a candid conversation on CBS LA) over life had developed a rather profound philosophy regarding the relationship between the essence of human socialisation and personal styling which he articulated into a simple formula: if you are well dressed, people will likely be instinctively drawn to you, and feel more compelled to talk to you. And in this instance at the Kickback, his plan worked perfectly, as his signature style was the perfect icebreaker that sparked immediate conversation between us.
But beyond his heightened dress sense, came (what I experienced during the initial moments of our dialogue) his serene aura and smooth yet straightforward tone; the delivery of his messaging being both delicate yet direct. This nuanced approach enabled him to cut through surrounding noise at the Kickback and softly ask me questions that were of both great substance and sensitivity (that one wouldn’t normally respond with sincerity to a stranger they just met) such as “how is your spirit today”? His gravitational pull had the effect of compelling me to respond with complete honesty - almost as if I’d known him for a very long time.
Pictured: Jamir Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
After I opened up and gave Jamir a candid blurb about how I was Black-British Londoner working in media that has found his way to the Black Mecca in search of answers to some very existential questions that were plaguing me, the first thing he said to me (after expressing how proud and impressed he was with my achievements) was, “So young Brother, tell me, when are you coming to L.A.?” He then made it a point to earnestly explain the workings of the L.A. entertainment industry as he’d experienced it, as well as other gems of wisdom he’d picked up along the way that he felt compelled to share with me. This included tips on how to make the most of my time in The Hollywood of the South.
What I’ve come to realise about Jamir is that his ability to deeply connect with people (as he did with me almost instantly) in a short space of time is something he can achieve with pretty much whoever he is speaking with, whenever and wherever that may be. And this would go some ways to explain why (as an accomplished journalist) he has been given stewardship of his own slot at Power 97.5 L.A. Radio, and why is consistently invited to the highest echelon of events in entertainment industry to provide coverage at cultural landmark moments such as The Emmys, Grammy Museum, B.E.T. Awards, Essence Fest, New York Fashion Week, Tribeca Film Festival, SXSW, the NBA All-Star HBCU Classic and much more. Beyond this, (and impressively), he has interviewed industry pioneers, legends, and royalty across the spectrum of media, sports and entertainment (and more) including Tina Knowles, Chloe Bailey, Coco Jones, Vic Mensa, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Vivica Fox, Tisha Campbell, Durand Bernarr, Raheem deVaugh, Emma Grede and much much more…
Pictured: Jamir Smith and Durand Bernarr
Through his lived experience and extensive travels within America, Jamir Possesses a unique blend of his innate southern hospitality through his North Carolina roots, savvy business acumen garnered from his time on the East Coast and dreamer/limitless mindset cultivated from his adventures in the West Coast. The result of him harnessing his abilities, is that he is able to create safe spaces that authentically amplify the stories of those he meets whilst documenting the times.
Pictured: Jamir Smith and Tisha Campbell
Taking things one step further, Jamir has also translated his skills into successfully growing his own platform, where he has the reigns to truly flex his storytelling skills and unwavering commitment to championing people and stories from the black-American and Afro-Caribbean (diaspora) communities. To this effect, he is the protagonist of The Jamir Smith Show: a creative hub where culture, fashion, art, and entrepreneurship meets smart conversation. This show spotlights trailblazers through insightful interviews, bold storytelling and moments that spark real connection.
I recently caught up with Jamir to discuss his perspectives on the current landscape of broadcast journalism, early influences, the realities of moving to L.A. for his career, overcoming setbacks, what keeps him steadfast in his mission as a journalist and more…
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You have previously referenced Arsenio Hall as one of your core influences - why so? The entertainment industry that you grew up watching him on in the 1990s is worlds apart from what exists today. For one, social media didn’t exist back then! What techniques and philosophies have you taken from Arsenio that you are able to practise in today’s very different landscape?
Arsenio Hall changed what I thought was possible. Growing up, I wasn't just watching a late-night host. I was watching someone create space that didn't exist anywhere else. He made Black culture the centre of the conversation without asking for permission. Hip-hop artists, actors, athletes, politicians, comedians. Everyone felt welcome, and more importantly, everyone felt seen. What always stood out to me was his curiosity. He knew when to make people laugh, but he also knew when to get out of the way and let someone's story breathe. That's something I've carried into every interview I do.
Today, social media rewards speed, but people still remember how you made them feel. That's why I often begin with, “How's your heart? What has this season of life been teaching you?” It reminds us we're here to connect, not perform. Arsenio taught me that culture deserves context. Whether it's a 60-second clip or a 40-minute interview, my goal is to leave people understanding someone, not just consuming them
Being a media veteran, I am very curious to gain your perspective on the state of broadcast journalism in 2026… Many fear with a decline in attention spans and the fast paced nature of the industry (come-and-go fads/trends, the rise of A.I., etc), long form content and sincere storytelling/interviewing is losing its place/value. What is your response to such a perspective?
I actually think the opposite is happening. Attention spans haven't disappeared. Trust has. People will spend hours with a conversation if they believe it's honest. The issue isn't length. It's substance. We've trained ourselves to chase moments instead of meaning. Journalism's responsibility is still to listen well, ask better questions, and create a historical record. The clip gets attention. The conversation builds legacy.
You are from Durham (North Carolina); having also spent time in Atlanta, you are deeply grounded in Southern Black-American culture. For the last three years you have lived in Los Angeles, and you also frequent to states in the East Coast like New York. What are some of the regional differences you have observed as far as how the media industry operates in each area?
The South taught me relationships. New York taught me urgency. Los Angeles taught me possibility. Every place has a different rhythm, but authenticity translates everywhere. I don't become a different interviewer depending on the city. I become a better listener.
How did you find the initial transition to L.A. and what’s been your biggest learning points/curves? What would you say at this moment are your foundational principles which you use to guide you through this industry?
Talent alone isn't enough. Relationships, patience, consistency, and integrity matter just as much. Every delay prepared me for something bigger. I try to lead with service, protect my integrity, build community instead of competition, and remember that relationships outlast awards.
In January 2025, you became the new saturday morning entertainment news radio host for Power 97.5 L.A. - an affiliate of iheart radio. I’m curious to know how working with this renown mainstream media entity has been, and how this experience so far has enabled you to grow professionally and personally…
Radio made me sharper. You learn to communicate clearly, think quickly, and connect with people you've never met. It also reinforced that trust isn't built in one interview. It's built over hundreds of conversations.
During your interview with Pat Harvey on CBS LA in 2026, you expressed that you’ve never felt that you should be on another path to the one you are on. Following your unfortunate dismissal from Bloomingdale’s during the COVID-19 pandemic (where you’d worked for 10.5 years) how did you harness the innate confidence you exude to rebuild yourself and wholly immerse yourself in the world of media thereafter? Where does your unwavering self confidence that you project into the world stem from?
Losing my job forced me to separate my identity from my title. I realized I wasn't starting over—I was redirecting. My confidence comes from faith and from surviving seasons where I had no evidence things would work out, yet they did.
Pictured: Jamir Smith at SXSW 2026
Something particularly unique about your approach in the industry, is your intentionality behind blending fashion and journalism. What was your entry point into the world of fashion/what were your early fashion influences, and when did you begin to identify the overlaps that exist between fashion and journalism?
Fashion has always been communication. Before someone speaks, they've already told you something through what they wear. Fashion and journalism both document culture—one through images, the other through conversations.
From attending the Emmys 2025, to interviewing Dwayne Wade, to working at Tyler Perry Studios, to moderating the “predicting culture to power brand momentum” conversation at SXSW 2026 in Austin… You’ve enjoyed many incredible career highlights! What has been your most memorable accomplishment in your career so far? Also, what would you say was your breakthrough moment in the industry when everything changed for you (if you have one)?
My biggest accomplishment is consistency. The breakthrough wasn't one celebrity interview. It was realising I didn't need permission to call myself a journalist. Everything changed after that.
One thing that is undeniable, is your uncompromising commitment to championing and spotlighting black talent, narratives and stories. Where did this passion originate from, and how do you remain true to this, in an industry where our voices now are (now more than ever) becoming increasingly marginalised? What keeps you focused on fulfilling this mission of yours, despite these external challenges?
I've always believed our stories deserve depth, not headlines. As long as I have a microphone, I'll continue creating spaces where Black stories are treated with care, complexity, and dignity.
Pictured: Jamir Smith at the B.E.T. Awards 2025
Even more widely, you are very tapped into the Afro-Caribbean diaspora communities and consciously make effort to authentically share their stories… You have shown avid support for the likes of the Afrikicks Gala and Pan African Film Festival. Do you have a message to the African-American and Diaspora communities that may be reading this?
Let's choose collaboration over comparison. Every time we support one another's work, we strengthen something much larger than ourselves. Culture grows when community grows.
Pictured: Jamir Smith at the pan African Film Festival
As a last question, what would you say is over the horizon for you - what are you currently aspiring to?
I'm building platforms that outlive me. I want to produce documentaries, host nationally syndicated conversations, expand into television, grow The Jamir Smith Show into a defining platform for long-form storytelling, and mentor the next generation. Success eventually becomes less about the rooms you enter and more about the people you bring with you.
Pictured: Jamir Smith and Jimmy Akingbola
