Kemba Smith is a public speaker, advocate, consultant, and author of "Poster Child". Having dealt with unimaginable trauma as a college student, Kemba’s life took a sharp turn for the worse in 1994, when she was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal prison. Her journey from that phase to being who she is today is one that everyone can learn resilience from. Kemba can be booked for a wide range of events where she chronicles how she overcame adversity that came with a grueling time in her life.
President of the Kemba Smith Foundation today, she runs the American charitable foundation with the desire to raise awareness on social issues like drug abuse, violence, and abuse. Author of “Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story”, she has powerfully detailed what led to her imprisonment, and how her long sentence was shortened to term. As a college student, Kemba fell in love with someone who used to deal drugs and physically abused her. In an unfortunate series of events, it was Kemba who had to pay the price – despite her being a first-time, non-violent offender, who only indulged in illegal activities under coercion.
While she was in prison, her story garnered a lot of interest and ultimately the then President Bill Clinton commuted her sentence to time served, 6.5 years as opposed to 24.5 years. Kemba credits this to Black Media, George Curry, Reginald Stuart, publisher of Emerge Magazine, and her family who rallied behind her cause tirelessly. Making the most of the cards she was dealt, Kemba is now determined to fight for a change in the criminal justice system, that reconsiders how first-time non-violent offenders are sentenced.
Kemba has spent her energy in inspiring reform, something she has come to be known for as the “Poster Child” for reversing the trend of lengthy sentences. She has spoken at the White House and testified before the United Nations and Congress as well. In 2019, Kemba was named on the Virginia Parole Board and is often featured in leading publications like The Washington Post, New York Times, Glamour, People, JET, Emerge, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and Essence magazines. She has also spoken several times on platforms such as CNN, Nightline, Court TV, The Early Morning Show, Donahue, and Judge Hatchett. You can now hire Kemba Smith to speak at your upcoming event about her life and how she overcame adversity. Enquire now!
