Services

My work encompasses three building blocks:

Joy– Intentionally creating joyous spaces by helping people connect with each other not as “human doings” but as human beings. Helping us move towards creating win-win spaces for each other in spite of our differences. A part of this is spiritual healing – finding the space to do what we are called to do.

Education –  Offering exposure to experiences that will enrich individuals individually – giving them what they personally need to learn and be nurtured. Learning new practices to think and addressing situations

Providing space for people with privilege to expand and learn about other people in their communities so we can understand and move away from oppressive structures to build transformative space of healing for all of us. “We are our experiences”

Opportunities – Providing resources and action, including developmental spaces, learning spaces, exposure to new experiences and economic opportunities, community mentorship networks, celebrations, and advocacy opportunities for people to build towards the opportunities they desire. Moving towards creating our own economic system.

What is the solution?

  • Stop the cycle of generational trauma, and help ppl understand it. Only those who love themselves and have a purpose can become better parents, love their community and be civically engaged.
  • Help people on an ongoing basis before they reach crisis.
  • Move towards an individual approach to address systematic issues by helping people learn to help themselves. Specifically, teach them self sufficiency skills: how to deal with external conflicts, identify their purpose, and improve their internal well being  
  • For parents: Build structures in the community to support parents to break the cycle of generational trauma. Teach and expose parents to healthy parenting skills and make sure they have the resources to succeed. Create parent-centered spaces where parents can become empowered. Equip parents to navigate the system and advocate for their kids and themselves. Coach parents to find their own purpose. Fund and support skill building in other things parents are interested in (e.g. dance)
  • For kids: Expose kids to experiences to help them build resiliency and learn about different career options and practice different skills. Connect them to “seed” opportunities (summer camps, programs) but also “waterers” to water the seeds (continue this support over time to help them pursue their own growth and cultivate their development)
  • Teach people how they can change policy and that they have the right to impact how the laws are written

My work encompasses three building blocks:

Joy– Intentionally creating joyous spaces by helping people connect with each other not as “human doings” but as human beings. Helping us move towards creating win-win spaces for each other in spite of our differences. A part of this is spiritual healing – finding the space to do what we are called to do.


Education –  Offering exposure to experiences that will enrich individuals individually – giving them what they personally need to learn and be nurtured. Learning new practices to think and addressing situations

Providing space for people with privilege to expand and learn about other people in their communities so we can understand and move away from oppressive structures to build transformative space of healing for all of us. “We are our experiences”


Opportunities – Providing resources and action, including developmental spaces, learning spaces, exposure to new experiences and economic opportunities, community mentorship networks, celebrations, and advocacy opportunities for people to build towards the opportunities they desire. Moving towards creating our own economic system.

What is the solution?

  • Stop the cycle of generational trauma, and help ppl understand it. Only those who love themselves and have a purpose can become better parents, love their community and be civically engaged.

  • Help people on an ongoing basis before they reach crisis.

  • Move towards an individual approach to address systematic issues by helping people learn to help themselves. Specifically, teach them self sufficiency skills: how to deal with external conflicts, identify their purpose, and improve their internal well being

  • For parents: Build structures in the community to support parents to break the cycle of generational trauma. Teach and expose parents to healthy parenting skills and make sure they have the resources to succeed. Create parent-centered spaces where parents can become empowered. Equip parents to navigate the system and advocate for their kids and themselves. Coach parents to find their own purpose. Fund and support skill building in other things parents are interested in (e.g. dance)

  • For kids: Expose kids to experiences to help them build resiliency and learn about different career options and practice different skills. Connect them to “seed” opportunities (summer camps, programs) but also “waterers” to water the seeds (continue this support over time to help them pursue their own growth and cultivate their development)

  • Teach people how they can change policy and that they have the right to impact how the laws are written

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.