Smith grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended the University of Pittsburgh, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1994.[1] At the university, she was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.[1] A single mother, she moved with her family from Philadelphia to Delaware around the early 2000s.[1]
Smith worked in the mental health department of a local nonprofit organization for a time before working at ChristianaCare, where she became the director of community education and engagement.[2] She also served on the board of trustees at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation and was a member of the James H. Gilliam program run by the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League.[3]
In December 2023, Smith announced her intention to run for the Delaware House of Representatives for the 15th district, which contains the community of Bear.[2] She faced off in the primary against Valerie Longhurst, who had held the seat since 2004 and was the active Speaker of the House.[3] Endorsed by the progressive Working Families Party,[4][5] Smith ended up winning the primary in a major upset, receiving 53.3% of the vote (1,453 votes) to Longhurst who received 46.7% (1,273 votes).[1][6][7] She later won in the general election unopposed.[8]
