Rising Stars: Meet Kristian Smith of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristian Smith.

Hi Kristian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but I’ve called Los Angeles home for the past 10 years. When I first moved here, I was doing photography and even started my own LLC, but I wasn’t pursuing it full-time. Like many creatives in LA, I held down a variety of jobs to pay the bills—including a memorable stint working at a psychic hotline.

During that time, I found myself craving familiarity and comfort, especially being far from the East Coast and missing home. I wasn’t connecting with a lot of the newer music coming out, so I started making a playlist filled with the songs I grew up hearing my parents, aunties, and uncles play—music that felt like home. Back in the day, when we’d drive home late at night, my parents would tune into a live broadcast from a club in Baltimore called Silver Shadow(s) (I just recently learned there’s no “s” at the end!). That broadcast would play the likes of Angela Winbush, Cheryl Lynn, Chaka Khan, SOS Band, Earth, Wind & Fire—what I now call “Auntie Jamz.”

What started as a nostalgic playlist turned into an idea: what if there was a party centered around this music? One that made space for Black joy, especially for Black women—a space to feel safe, seen, and free. I sat on the idea for eight years, often talking myself out of it. My inner saboteur (word to RuPaul) had me convinced the idea was silly or that someone else would beat me to it.

But in 2024, I finally worked up the nerve—on my birthday, with a little liquid courage—to ask my now-partner Rosegawd if she wanted to collaborate. I’d been following her dope theme parties on Twitter (not X!) and felt she’d be the perfect person to bring this vision to life. There’s no way I could have thrown a party called Auntie Jamz without having a Black woman be a part of it, and Rosegawd brought the energy, creativity, and perspective that helped shape it into something special. She immediately said yes.

We launched the first Auntie Jamz party on April 19, 2024, at a small dive bar called The Mermaid. It had a 60–70 person capacity and was packed before midnight. From there, things took off. In June, we partnered with Issa Rae’s flagship Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in DTLA, and the response was overwhelming—lines down the block, close friends couldn’t even get in. The momentum carried through the summer. Our crowd kept growing, and by the fall, Auntie Jamz had been featured in the LA Sentinel and on CBS News Los Angeles.

From there, the brand kept evolving. We threw a Soul Train-themed Halloween party at the Echoplex with about 500 attendees. In 2025, we celebrated our one-year anniversary at LOST DTLA, a rooftop venue connected to Issa Rae’s Hilltop brand, and hosted a beautiful, intimate Mother’s Day event at The Sun Rose, where people brought their actual moms and aunties.

This summer, we’re looking to expand even further and continue creating joyful experiences rooted in culture, community, and nostalgia.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t been the worst, but it definitely hasn’t been without challenges. Putting myself and my vision out there has been a learning experience. I didn’t realize how personal this event was to me until I started receiving feedback or criticism. Sometimes ideas get shut down, and it hits harder than expected because they’re tied so closely to who I am. But I’ve learned that growth often comes from that discomfort. Another part of the journey has been learning to discern whether feedback is actually constructive or just noise.

One of the biggest challenges has been stepping into the role of MC. Public speaking isn’t something I’m naturally comfortable with, so I still get nervous grabbing the mic. Social media has also been a big adjustment. Learning how to promote the event, figuring out what and when to post, and trying to work with the ever-changing algorithm. This entire curating space is new to me, but I’ve been lucky to have an amazing partner in Rosegawd. She’s truly been a godsend in helping me navigate all of this.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
It feels a little funny to say, but I guess you could call me a curator—an event curator. I specialize in creating spaces where people can hear good music and feel joy, safety, and love. I’m most proud of actually following through with the idea and seeing how deeply people have connected with it—especially in a city like L.A. where it can be tough to break through.

What sets us apart is that we’re not looking over our shoulders at what others are doing. I move from the heart and focus on what feels right for myself and the people attending my events. The best spaces I’ve experienced were built out of love and not just profit, even though making money is nice. I told myself and Rose from the beginning that even if I didn’t make a dime from Auntie Jamz, I’d be okay, as long as one person walked up to us and said, “I needed this.” I’m not chasing money—I’m chasing joy, for myself and for others. Curating wasn’t something I set out to do, but it’s been one of the most soul-fulfilling paths I’ve found.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I think the biggest thing I’d want to share is the importance of doing what feels right and what is right for you. L.A. can be a place where it’s easy to get caught up in chasing money, fame, or trends. But when you move with intention and follow what genuinely feels good, great things can come from it.

I was honestly terrified to share the idea for Auntie Jamz. It took me eight years to even try. But once I let go of fear, there was so much joy and fulfillment waiting on the other side. That’s not to say everything is perfect all the time, but if something keeps tugging at your heart, you owe it to yourself to at least try.

I was actually planning to leave Los Angeles in 2024, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I didn’t give Auntie Jamz a chance. I’m so glad I stayed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.auntiejamz.com
• Instagram: auntie.jamz
• Twitter: AuntieJamz

Image Credits
Photographs were taken by Ciara Handy & Owen Duckett