LaNiyah Bailey is a 6 year-old kindergartner from Chicago. In such a short period of time this 6 year old, has been through a lot.Born October 9, 2004 she came into the world “smiling” at 6 lbs 9oz. At that time LaNiyah’s parents knew she was “special.” LaNiyah has a cool and true story to tell about how she now deals with kids taunting and teasing her because she’s “different.”  LaNiyah had to learn that everyone is not your friend and that the old saying: sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt me, was not true. She learned that words can hurt a lot more than sticks and stones. But with the love and support of her family, she has over come many obstacles, which is why she wanted to share her story and let the world know, that there are other reasons some people are not "normal" and we should look at a persons heart and intentions, versus what they look like on the outside.   In her debut book, Not FAT Because I Wanna Be, LaNiyah details the struggle of Jessica, a fictional girl who has an underlying medical issue that causes her to gain weight.  Bullied by her peers, Jessica learns to accept her body and eventually opens up about her condition to her classmates.   LaNiyah is not only speaking to other children through her book, but has become an advocate for anti-bullying organizations.

August 6, 2011
Open Books
“Author signing/ reading”

August 2011
“World of Ink” 30-day Book Tour

June 12, 2011
“Not Fat Because I Wanna Be”
Official Book Launch Party – Justice, IL

April 14, 2011
Mr. & Miss Memorial Park District Fashion Show
Won first place – Best Model 2011

April 13, 2011
Splash News – UK
Journalist: Marissa Charles

April 11, 2011
NBC “The Talk”
Live interview: “Battling Bullies”

April 8, 2011
BET.com
Journalist: Brandi Tape

April 6, 2011
FOX News
“Good Day Chicago” with Anna Davlantes

April 4, 2011
Chicago Tribune - Article
Columnist: Dawn Turner Trice

March 31, 2011
Chicago Tribune “Shooting From the Hip”
Documentary: with photo journalist Scott Strazzante

March 31, 2011
BlogTalkRadio.com
“Solutions Radio” with Skyler Jett & Denice Newton

March 23, 2011
CNN/HLN
“Prime News” with Vinnie Politan

March 9, 2011
NPR Radio
“Tell Me More” with Michel Martin

February 25, 2011
Concert, Dallas, TX
“Stop Bullying Now”

February 19, 2011
Chicago, IL
“African-American Youth Day Festival”