NIKKOLAS SMITH is an Artivist, children’s book author, and Hollywood film illustrator. He is the author/illustrator of the picture book The Artivist, the NAACP Image Award nominated The Golden Girls of Rio, and My Hair Is Poofy And That’s Okay.  He is also  the illustrator for the number one New York Times Bestselllers The 1619 Project: Born on the Water written by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson. His other project include, I Am Ruby Bridges, vll and That Flag. As an illustrator of color, Nikkolas is focused on creating captivating art that can spark important conversations in today’s world and inspire meaningful change. Many of his viral and globally published sketches are included in his book Sunday Sketch: The Art of Nikkolas. Born in Houston, Texas, Nikkolas lives in Los Angeles, California.

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THE ARTIVIST

An inspiring picture book about how children can combine art and activism in their daily lives. “They say I’m an artist. They say I’m an activist.”

When a young boy realizes the scope of inequities in the wider world, he’s seized with the urge to do more. He decides to bring together the different parts of himself—the artist and the activist—to become – an Artivist. After his mural goes viral, he sets out to change the world one painting at a time.  Th text and stunning illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, The Artivist is a call to action for young readers to point out injustice in their lives and try to heal the broken bones of the world through their art.

THE 1619 PROJECT: BORN ON THE WATER

A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders. But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived.

With powerful verse written by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson and  striking illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, Born on the Water provides a pathway for readers of all ages to reflect on the origins of American identity.
A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders.
But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived.