Digital Scholarship and Initiatives

Profile of Jana, a Curb Records recording artist who describes her style as “creat[ing] mainstream pop music by incorporating dance, R&B and gospel.” Jana will perform Saturday, July 1, at the Givens Performing Arts Center at UNC-P. She is a member of the Lumbee tribe but also has Tuscarora heritage through her maternal grandmother. She has been nominated for five Native American Music Awards and will attend the awards ceremony in New Mexico this September. Her parents are Jim and Olene Sampson of Charlotte. Jana was born in Lumberton but grew up in Baltimore and Charlotte. She has recorded three singles with Curb Records: “What Am I to You,” “Near Me” (written by Sheryl Crow), and “Ooh Baby Baby.” She co-wrote “Kiss and Tell,” which was recorded by contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis. Jana learned to make bead-and-bone Indian jewelry from her uncle and has donated 10% of her jewelry sales to United Native Indian Tribal Youth.