Memphis Star Kia Shine Shines a Light on Autism Advocacy
In the heart of Memphis, a city known for its rich musical heritage and vibrant culture, rapper and producer Kia Shine, also known as Nakia Coleman, has been making waves not just in music but also in life-changing outreach programs. Best recognized for his catchy hit “Krispy,” which soared into the Top 20 on the Billboard charts in 2007, Shine has transformed his influence into something meaningful over the last few years.
A Journey Beyond Music
While Kia Shine has made significant contributions to the music scene, collaborating with big names like Drake and GloRilla, his focus has shifted to philanthropy. With his wife, Alecia Coleman, he established the nonprofit Autism Advocates two years ago, driven by their personal journey with their son, Jameson, who was diagnosed with a severe form of autism over a decade ago. “We felt like we hadn’t seen the activation or engagement from other major autism nonprofits as it pertained to us and to our son,” Shine reflects.
Creating a Community of Support
Autism Advocates is dedicated to providing safety and community for families impacted by autism. Their mission emphasizes that everyone, regardless of their abilities, is of equal value. Shine puts it simply: “If you wanna move the world, you gotta start with the people down the street.” His commitment is evident, as the organization primarily focuses on the local Memphis community.
Shine and his team have been proactive in raising awareness in schools, making an impact by visiting nearly every classroom in Memphis. “What we do as an organization is put an emphasis on acceptance and inclusion,” he adds, as he reflects on their recent outreach efforts at Middle College High School in Midtown.
Direct Assistance for Families
Autism Advocates goes a step further by providing financial stipends to parents of children in local classrooms. “We have stipends that we give to the parents… to provide some assistance for them,” Shine notes. The organization also recognizes the importance of safety, especially regarding drowning risks, and is launching swimming instruction programs targeted at families. Statistics show that children with autism are 160 times more likely to drown compared to the general pediatric population, making this initiative crucial.
“We’re just doing the things that we know as parents we needed,” Shine says. He emphasizes that their approach is organic, catering to the challenges faced by families like theirs.
The Rhythm of Music Continues
Even with his philanthropic work, Kia Shine hasn’t stepped away from music. He continues to produce hits, and his beats were recently featured in GloRilla’s “Get Money.” As a seasoned artist, Shine finds joy in the increasing popularity of Memphis rap. “I love that Memphis is getting that respect, and I love that I can remain relevant,” he mentions, referring to his collaborations with up-and-coming artists who are now making national headlines.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Shine’s talent doesn’t stop at music; he has also ventured into acting. After making several appearances in film and television since 2017, he has a notable role in the upcoming holiday film “Red One,” which stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “That’s a holiday movie about kidnapping Santa Claus,” he shares, showcasing his excitement for the film, which is set to release in theaters and on Amazon.
Balancing Passion and Purpose
With a busy schedule filled with music production, acting roles, and humanitarian efforts, Kia Shine makes no apologies. “Between music, acting, and working to promote autism awareness… those are the boxes I’m checking pretty much every day,” he concludes. It’s clear that Kia Shine is on a mission to uplift those around him while continuing to inspire through his art.
