Celebrating Black History Month offers us an important opportunity to recognize the many achievements and contributions that African Americans have made. It’s a time to honor African American leaders who had the courage to challenge inequities, strive for excellence under any circumstance, and blaze a trail for generations to come. In this article series, throughout February, we hope to educate, engage, and empower our community by learning more about the Black experience in America.

Sharmaine Smith ’25, a Forensic Psychology major from Harlem, New York, and a winner of this year’s Malcolm/King Award, is driven to provide hope and create options for system-impacted individuals reentering their communities. For Smith, the passion of uplifting the group is personal. “As a formerly incarcerated woman, who is in recovery from a substance use disorder, I know what it’s like to be counted out and not seen. But I also know what it’s like to overcome your obstacles, come back stronger, and ready to take on the world,” says Smith, encouraged by her journey of recovery and looking forward to the future. “I want to help formerly incarcerated people thrive as they make their way back to society. My plan is to be a proprietor of a transitional housing program for formerly incarcerated individuals. The program will offer job readiness and various resources and social services to assist them, help set them up for success, and decrease the rate of recidivism.”   

Smith admits the road for her hasn’t been easy, but when she looks at leaders in the African American community and at her own son, Avery, she’s inspired to take on any challenges that come her way in order to be an advocate for those in need. “Overcoming addiction was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. The turning point for me came about 10 years ago when my son was seven years old. I had been battling addiction for years and was away from him at the time. I called him and asked if he missed me, and he said he didn’t know. It was in that moment I knew I had to change my life and get clean if I wanted to be there for my son,” says Smith, moved by the memory. “Every day I wake up and push as hard as I can to be the person that I know I can be. To be someone that people, especially my son, can believe in. When I start to feel down, I look at those that came before me who overcame incredible obstacles, whether it was to fight for equality or for our rights as Americans, and I know that same strength, tenacity, and resiliency runs through my veins. I know I can be the best version of me.” We connected with Smith to learn more about her journey and what celebrating Black History Month means to her.

What drew you to John Jay College and how has the College’s diversity impacted your educational journey?
I’ve always wanted to go to John Jay. Growing up in Harlem, where I lived in public housing, John Jay College was a renowned institution. To us it was an icon and symbolized the best in public education. That is something I never lost sight of. Even in the midst of my addiction, I knew two things: that I was going to one day walk across a stage to take hold of my college diploma, and that the diploma would be from John Jay College. Once I became a non-traditional student at John Jay, I was so grateful for the opportunity to engage with classmates, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds and cultures. When you are part of a diverse community—whether its culturally and racially diverse, or diverse in age—I feel it enhances and enriches your learning experience. Already, I can see the positive impact the John Jay community is having on my educational journey.

How do you celebrate Black History Month?
I celebrate Black History Month every day of the year by providing others with literature to enhance their awareness of African American history and culture. It’s important to acknowledge the struggles and adversities faced by our people. I take great pride in remembering their incredible accomplishments and all the African American community has overcome. I’m so grateful for those that came before me who helped pave the way for so many. Given my own journey, I realize too that I am part of this continuing legacy. I am Black history in action, and I would love to give hope to others in our community.

What goals do you have for advancing equality and fairness for all people, especially African Americans?
Beyond helping uplift system-impacted individuals leaving the system, I want to help make a change in the criminal justice arena where African Americans may not get a fair shot at justice. I want to be a pioneer in changing the way the justice system looks at us. I would love to one day join the Pre-Arraignment Screening Unit as a Diversion Liaison where I can speak up for people of color who may feel like they don’t have a voice or who may not know how to use their voice to advocate for themselves when they enter the system.

When you think of African American history, what makes you feel the proudest?
The stories of resiliency have always had the most profound impact on me and make me feel so proud. The story of African Americans in this country is a story of survival, faith, strength, and resiliency. Despite the injustices, cruelties, and inequities we faced, we have survived and paved the way for others. You see that strength and resiliency passed down from generation to generation. I see it in my own story as a formerly incarcerated woman in recovery now on her way to earning her college degree. My goal is to make the world a better, fairer place for the next generation, for my son, and for those hoping to simply have a positive impact on the world.