Accompanying Individuals As They Learn to Help Themselves
Creating Joy, Education and Opportunities
Shanequa Smith
Restorative Practitioner
Dr. Shanequa Smith is a Restorative Practitioner with a focus on assisting in the process of healing the well-being of individuals who have been systematically oppressed. She has a Master’s in School Counseling from Marshall Graduate College and a PhD in Human and Community Development from West Virginia University. Dr. Smith uses transformative techniques to assist in creating liberation within individuals who experienced sociohistorical traumas, generated from systematic oppressions. These transformative techniques are embedded in relational and listening practices that redistribute power back within the people. Dr. Smith also enacts collaborative initiatives to reinforce the strength of community villages.
Dr. Shanequa Smith is a Restorative Practitioner who uses transformative techniques to assist in creating liberation within individuals who experience sociohistorical traumas that are generated from systematic oppressions. These transformative techniques are embedded in relational and listening practices that redistribute power back within the people.
BS in Business Management
BA in Economics – both from West Virginia State University
Shanequa Smith
Restorative Practitioner
Dr. Shanequa Smith is a Restorative Practitioner with a focus on assisting in the process of healing the well-being of individuals who have been systematically oppressed.
She has a Master’s in School Counseling from Marshall Graduate College and a PhD in Human and Community Development from West Virginia University.
Dr. Smith uses transformative techniques to assist in creating liberation within individuals who experienced sociohistorical traumas, generated from systematic oppressions. These transformative techniques are embedded in relational and listening practices that redistribute power back within the people. Dr. Smith also enacts collaborative initiatives to reinforce the strength of community villages.
Dr. Shanequa Smith is a Restorative Practitioner who uses transformative techniques to assist in creating liberation within individuals who experience sociohistorical traumas that are generated from systematic oppressions. These transformative techniques are embedded in relational and listening practices that redistribute power back within the people.
BS in Business Management
BA in Economics – both from West Virginia State University
Examples of successful projects
Launched the Black Voter Impact Initiative to recognize what Black voters and elected officials are doing statewide and to open space for Black communities to become politically active. This included running a successful Get Out the Vote canvassing campaign in low-income housing areas, conducting interviews with Black leaders and allies across the state, and opening spaces for conversation about political engagement.
Created an annual community graduation celebration for high school students in partnership with the City of Charleston, a public grad party and fair that combines celebration with education and resources for families, graduates and the community.
Co-launched the first annual Black Policy Day at the WV legislature, a collaborative effort for Black community members to meet with their legislators, talk about the bills that matter to their community, and become politically engaged.
Created Deltas Building Democracy, a sorority-based initiative in partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. providing political knowledge and action, legislative education, and a platform for Black political leaders to speak with the community through virtual and in-person events.
Created Exploring M.E. (My Energy), a personal and professional development club and community mentorship program that exposes girls to tools that will position them to make better choices. Students will explore their self-efficacy, self-esteem, and self-regulation, through student-centered, project-based activities.
Examples of successful projects
Launched the Black Voter Impact Initiative to recognize what Black voters and elected officials are doing statewide and to open space for Black communities to become politically active. This included running a successful Get Out the Vote canvassing campaign in low-income housing areas, conducting interviews with Black leaders and allies across the state, and opening spaces for conversation about political engagement.
Created an annual community graduation celebration for high school students in partnership with the City of Charleston, a public grad party and fair that combines celebration with education and resources for families, graduates and the community.
Co-launched the first annual Black Policy Day at the WV legislature, a collaborative effort for Black community members to meet with their legislators, talk about the bills that matter to their community, and become politically engaged.
Created Deltas Building Democracy, a sorority-based initiative in partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. providing political knowledge and action, legislative education, and a platform for Black political leaders to speak with the community through virtual and in-person events.
Created Exploring M.E. (My Energy), a personal and professional development club and community mentorship program that exposes girls to tools that will position them to make better choices. Students will explore their self-efficacy, self-esteem, and self-regulation, through student-centered, project-based activities.