Tobacco Queen of the Week - Shanika "Diva" Smith

Everyone knows her as “DIVA”. Shanika currently serves as The Outreach (Studio & Community) Coordinator for Cigar TV in Tampa, Florida. Shanika helps connect brands, businesses, and enthusiasts through the first global streaming channel dedicated to the cigar industry and lifestyle. Powered by Freecast, Cigar TV is available on Roku, DistroTV, and 19 additional platforms, reaching audiences in more than 40+ countries worldwide.

Born and raised in the Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads area, Shanika Smith is a proud mother of her son, cigar aficionado of 18 years, and accomplished event professional. She previously served as the Event Coordinator for her home lounge back home Emerson’s Cigars, who’s been in business over 50 years. A role she held for three years, while also currently serving as an Events Committee Member for Women of PCA.

Before joining the premium cigar industry, Shanika spent more than 18 years planning and coordinating events throughout Hampton Roads, Virginia. Her extensive portfolio includes weddings with 400–600 attendees, the 2018 Pride Festival, the funeral service of boxing legend Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, décor design for the Norfolk, Virginia premiere of the 2016 film The Birth of a Nation, nonprofit fundraising galas, and numerous social and community events.

Shanika is also dedicated to community service and outreach. She helped manage and coordinate Divine Inspiration Outreach, Inc., a Christian-based homeless shelter for single women that focuses on restoring self-sufficiency, rebuilding confidence, and establishing healthy boundaries for long-term success.

Many people who meet Shanika assume she is a fashion designer or model—and with good reason. But Shanika is definitely about her business and her work ethic shows it. Her passion for fashion has led her to serve as a Brand Ambassador for Fedora Designs, Talley & Twine Watches, and Kingmakers Cigars. An avid collector of fedoras and hats, Shanika also had the opportunity to create her own limited fashion line, “LaVella’s Collection,” in collaboration with Fedora Designs.

Whether coordinating a large-scale event, building community partnerships, or creating memorable brand experiences, Shanika’s passion remains the same: bringing people together through meaningful, well-organized, and unforgettable experiences. She firmly believes that “you should give the audience an experience, and great customer service they’ll never forget and will love coming back to.”

We are ready to see what Shanika brings to Tampa and the future for Cigar TV.