User:Oateney Silvera/Tionna smalls

Tionna Tee Smalls (born on September 16, 1984) is an American Author, Media Personality, Entrepreneur, Youth Advocate and Love Advisor. Tionna grew up in a two-parent household along with 3 sisters and was raised in the East New York section of Brooklyn, New York.

Beginning Stages
After ending a six year relationship, Tionna fell in a state of depression and decided that it was time to get herself together. While going out on dates with different types of men, she realized that women weren’t finding the right men because they were giving all of the wrong ones a chance. She became very excited to share her new wisdom with the world and decided to pen her first independent book titled, “Girl, Get Your Mind Right!” (2007) Tionna published her book through I-Universe, a self-publishing company in the United States (North America). Prior to publishing her first book, she decided to quit her day job as a Customer Service/Sales Representative at a storage facility in Long Island City and pursue her dream of being an Author. Becoming an entrepenuer was not an easy road to travel as Tionna would go months without receiving a single paycheck.

Evolving
While promoting, “Girl, Get Your Mind Right!”, Tionna decided to write Gawker, a popular website based in New York City, a letter in first person about how great the author of the book was. Gawker thought that the idea of Tionna writing a letter about herself was genius. The editors of the website proceeded to print the actual email and in hours their readers took notice of Tionna. Gawker then asked Tionna to be their new advice columnist. “Ask Tionna” became the name of her new advice column. Tionna was very excited because this became her first paying job as a writer in the industry. Her outspoken and tell-it-like-it-is nature earned Tionna a lot of notoriority and fans across the world. On April 30, 2007, Tionna started her own urban lifestyle blog entitled Talk Dat Ish. The blog was named after Tionna’s reputation as a big mouth who didn’t take ish (an ebonic word in place of a curse word). Talk Dat Ish the blog, became popular because of its real view of the entertainment world including events, celebrities and everyday life. In late 2007, many employees of Gawker’s either quit or were fired due to the owner (New York Socialite, Nick Denton) changing the direction of the popular site. With a lack of employees, Nick Denton decided to discontinue Tionna’s infamous column, Ask Tionna. Around this time, Tionna also started her internet radio show, Talk Dat Ish Radio, on Blog Talk Radio. Disappointed and once again jobless, Tionna decided to pick up her pad and pen and move to Radar Online. The job at Radar did not last long so Tionna decided to write for another website called SLC Outsider, the website run by self-professed Gawker fan, Adam Streeter. Tionna’s loyal fans from Gawker followed her to Radar and then to SLC Outsider. Her article, “Don’t Get Dickmotized” regarding women not being ruled and conquered by a man’s penis received rave reviews. Her contribution to SLC Outsider earned her mention in the New York Times with a article titled, “Has Gawker Jumped the Snark” written by Allen Salkin. The article appeared in the Sunday’s Times on January 13, 2008. In 2008, Tionna also stopped writing for SLC outsider and decided to make her own way in the world. She went on to publicity and started to help unsigned and independent artists get their careers started. Her clients included comedian Wendy Ho, the Piers Lawrence Quartet, and singer/actress Chantel “Chani” Christie (the daughter of former NBA player Doug Christie and Jackie Christie). She enjoyed marketing artists but she knew she was not finished with her own career. Tionna then decided to take a break and focus on other ventures in life such as her love in non-profit work. Tionna worked at different non-profits including Groundwork, INC. based in her hometown of East New York and Inwood House, a group-home for pregnant teenagers located in the Bronx. Tionna learned a lot from working at these organizations and decided that she would one day open her own organization helping at-risk youth.

Present
In April 2009, the entertainment industry came calling upon Tionna once again. VH1 approached her with a opportunity that she just could not refuse; a role on a new reality show helping Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas find the love of her life. VH1 felt that Tionna’s outspoken nature and wise love advice was needed for the project. What Chilli Wants, a reality show produced by Freemantle Media North which was shot in Atlanta, Georgia, aired on April 11, 2010 on VH1. What Chilli Wants rated number one on Vh1. Tionna has also penned multiple reality shows and has taken on the role of executive producer. In June 2010, Tionna signed a book deal with publishing house, Harper Collins Publishing. Her new book, Girl Get Your Mind Right: The Tell-it-like-it-is advice your love life has been missing will be available for pre-order in late December.

Personal Life
Currently dating a man she lovingly calls Cas since June 2008.

Affiliated Companies

 * Talk Dat Ish Entertainment
 * Vh1
 * HarperCollins Publishing
 * FreemantleMedia
 * Gawker Media