I had the great privilege of attending a recent community event hosted by Author, Speaker and Community Leader Beverly Smith. It was the 3rd Annual Black Wall Street, Southeast Ceremony, in which community leaders were honored and the city’s youth participated in a talent show during the festivities. Because Beverly is such a staple figure in her community, some of the area’s most established businesses made sure they were in attendance. They included Gist Family Catering, The Washington Informer and The Ward 8 Arts and Culture Council.
The event provided community highlights and networking opportunities for local businesses and vendors. Beverly was the M.C. as she discussed important topics in the DC area such as youth education and also highlighted her ongoing film project, The Naked Truth: Raw and Exposed which discusses overcoming Intimate Partner Violence – a project which I’m proud to be a part of. Awards were given to those who have made a difference through their community work and business services. Recipients included Cornelius Adams, founder and CEO of Baltimore based Vitale Entertainment, Hollywood filmmaker Bruce Brown and Mignon Brown Anderson, founder of the Lakeisha Brown Foundation in honor of her late daughter who was killed by domestic violence.
Listen to my interview with Beverly as she discusses her background and vision:
Between the film project, her non-profit and book writing activities, Beverly is also a dedicated mom, wife and business woman. Her energy is admirable and mind-blowing at the same time as she talks about issues that no one wants to acknowledge, and deals with children that many have lost hope in.
Beverly was recently featured on the weekly La Femme de Prose Podcast and discussed her beginnings, ongoing challenges and vision for the future. It was one of the show’s most interactive and popular episodes! Check it out here and contact her for more information on her non-profit organization, Momma’s Safe Haven.