Sharifa Jamila Smith ((new)) Jun 2026

The impact of Sharifa Jamila Smith’s work is measured in the lives she has touched and the systems she has helped reform. In an era where the legal profession is often viewed through a lens of cynicism, Smith stands as a reminder of the law’s potential as a tool for good.

This led to her most controversial project: The Liminal Space , a private dining room in Manhattan that is entirely matte black. The walls are black, the table is black, the plates are black. Diners cannot see their own reflection. Smith designed it to force conversation. "In a white room, you perform. In a black room, you confess," she notes. The waiting list is currently three years long. sharifa jamila smith

She is a singer-songwriter who uses her music to connect with audiences and touch "hearts and minds". The impact of Sharifa Jamila Smith’s work is