Meet Lioness

Born in 1996 to a Kono father and a Mende mother in the Lioness Mountains of Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa, Lioness-Sia Foday was also born into the fierce blood diamonds war. Her experiences growing up in a death and destruction-shaped environment inspired a lot of uncomfortable questions that led to her being a civil and animal rights activist and all ’round freedom fighter.

“I have always known I am on the spectrum,” explains Lioness, who received a formal diagnosis of autism late in life (December 2025).

Based in Los Angeles, Lioness-Sia is specializing in world music performance at the California Institute of the Arts in the mediums of music, dance, fashion, theatre and any other art that calls for authentic expression—which she also teaches in local high schools.

In addition to the Easterseals Every1 With Autism Belongs PSA campaign, she has been seen on such popular television shows as Bel-Air, Grey's Anatomy and Good Trouble. Her original music is available on Bandcamp and other streaming platforms. She enjoys adventuring, hiking, reading, yoga, meditation, horseback riding, gardening, farming and spending time with her many animal companions.