Her drawings helped her face struggles in KC. Now her greeting cards spread Black joy

Keliah Smith was spiraling downward.

In 2015, she lost her job, gave birth to twins and moved back in with her parents. Feeling depressed and hopeless, she picked up a pencil and started drawing sketches of Black women living in a space of peace and happiness — something she wanted for herself.

This was the first time Smith had drawn since childhood, and it gave her the strength to face her issues. Soon she added words, and the illustrations became a self-manifestation.

The next year she formed CRWND illustrations and has found a devoted following of fans of her products — especially her holiday greeting cards this time of year — as well as acclaim from local business leaders.

“I think my art and cards filled a space that was not very common to see, and it resonated with people and they saw themselves,” says the 38-year-old mother of two.

Recently Smith won a $5,000 prize in the Porter House KC’s Alchemy Sandbox Pitch Competition.

“Any business has to be able to have a pitch and sell themselves,” says Smith. “So my pitch consisted of selling the idea that I already had an amazing product that has been working. My whole purpose of needing the grant money was to help elevate my business.”

Smith plans to use her winnings toward upgrading her work computer, where she creates her illustrations, and improving her website and online store. Though the pitch to judges in the competition was only five minutes, it seemed like a lifetime for the soft-spoken and shy artist. But for her, a big part of her brand is encouraging Black women to be fearless.

Back when she started drawing again, family and friends encouraged Smith to print her illustrations on gifts. Everything changed one day when someone online contacted her hoping she could create a custom greeting card.

“I was really nervous because I had never created anything like that,” says Smith. “But when she saw it, she started crying, and she said when she gave it to her sister, she broke down. After that I knew what I was supposed to be doing.”

Smith wanted to create products that told Black women the things she herself needed to hear during her time of healing.

“I think mental health is something that has become less of a taboo topic and more people are comfortable saying I need encouragement and confidence. I wanted to tell my people, especially Black women, it is OK to have those moments because you will get through,” she says.

In addition to cards, CRWND Illustrations offers stickers, tote bags, planners and calendars. For the holidays, Smith is seeing sales in her beloved Black Christmas card line.

One card shows four women of color with varying skin tones and hairstyles and textured skirts, hands proudly on hips, smiles broad. Another shows a couple kissing happily under the mistletoe. Another shows three happy children building a snowman in a winter wonderland.

Her cards carry affirmations of inspiration, like this one in her Black Girl Magic card: “Glowing beautifully, living fearlessly, showing up, showing out, living my purpose, in abundance, out loud, self-caring, manifesting, breaking chains, barriers and curses and stopping at nothing.”

Smith has one of the only local Black-owned businesses selling original Christmas cards. (KC painter Anita Easterwood also sells a Christmas cards with a Black image on her online store.)

Smith’s biggest competition is Hallmark Cards and its decades-old Mahogany line, which emphasizes Black representation.

Smith partnered with Mahogany in 2021 for a bundle featuring products and accessories from several Black female creatives.

Smith has still managed to create a successful business with customers wanting to support local Black entrepreneurs.

CRWND is not only based on a a word that uplifts, it stands for “Color Radiant Women Natural and Divine,” she says. She wanted to remind women of their nobility in times of difficulty.

“It’s a reminder that each and every one of us have our own crowns,” says Smith. “In those dark times we find our own light.”

India Carter-Wells has been buying cards from Smith since 2021. Carter-Wells fell in love with Smith’s products at a pop-up event for vendors and decided to make every card she gave one that resonated on a personal level with her.

“I was instantly intrigued,” says Carter-Wells. “Just by seeing other Black faces on her cards was so different for me, and knowing our people aren’t really reflected with things like that or see themselves in them, I thought it was so empowering.”

Initially purchasing a birthday card, Carter-Wells has returned for cards for every occasion, recently stocking up on Smith’s Black Friday sale and buying the full line of her four Christmas cards. CRWND Illustrations cards start at $10, which Carter-Wells says is worth the extra cost.

“I think for most people, it is just easier to pick up a generic Christmas card at a store,” says Carter-Wells. “So, for me it is just a no-brainer because I support her products and just her as an entrepreneur.”

Smith hopes to get her merchandise into stores across the country to spread Black joy.

“This business helped me elevate out of a low point,” says Smith. “Hearing the reactions that people have after receiving one of my cards is so powerful to me.”

CRWND Illustrations products are available at crwndillustrations.com, the gift shop of the American Jazz Museum and all Made in KC stores.