Nia Talita Long (born October 30, 1970) is an American dancer and actress. She is best known for her roles in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch, and the films Boyz n the Hood, Boiler Room, Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, and Are We There Yet?. Long was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Talita, a teacher and printmaker, and Doughtry "Doc" Long, a high school teacher and poet. Her family is of Afro-Trinidadian descent. Her name, Nia, is one of the seven days of Kwanzaa, which means purpose in Swahili. Long was only two years old when her parents were divorced. She moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where her mother studied fine arts. Long subsequently moved to a South Los Angeles neighborhood when she was seven year old, where her mother was supposed to get married. The wedding was called off, but Talita had fallen in love with L.A. and they stayed. Long's father currently resides in Trenton, New Jersey. Long's half-sister is comedienne Sommore, one of the stars of The Queens of Comedy. Long attended the Roman Catholic school St. Mary's Academy and studied ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, guitar, and acting.