Scholar and broadcaster Nia I’man Smith discusses Sonic Blacknuss Radio

February 04, 2026

Nia I’man Smith is a scholar and radio host based in Bloomington, Indiana. She’s currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University Bloomington. Smith is also the creator and host of Sonic Blacknuss, a biweekly program on Bloomington’s community radio station, WFHB. The show offers a thoughtfully curated journey through Black music — from jazz and soul to R&B, funk, blues, bossa nova, and Afrobeat. Each episode is built around a central theme, tracing the deep connections between history, culture, and memory. Cultural Manifesto host Kyle Long recently spoke with Nia about her work as a scholar and radio DJ. She also brought along some music to share.