Akitress Smith, MPA

I attribute my success to my child, my family - my daughter is the reason that I push so hard and fight so hard every day. She is my motivation to keep going and to achieve everything I'm working toward.

When I worked for the City of Memphis, I had a manager who told me something that has stayed with me. She said, 'I don't worry about you, because I know that you're gonna be okay. You're already so proactive. You're always fighting for yourself. I don't fear that when you leave here, that you're going to have any problems getting to where you want to be, because you're going to make sure that you get what you need. Because you're a very strong woman.' She saw the fight in me, and she told me, 'I don't see you failing. I see you're going to always succeed, because you're the type of person - you're gonna fight for what's right and stand up for yourself. Even if it's a job or role where you may feel like you don't have the experience, but you're just as good as the next person, you can walk in that room, it's like you've been there forever.' That advice made me feel so proud and gave me confidence.

Do not take no for an answer. Never give up. You put your pants on just like everyone else. You're gonna walk into that room and own it. Don't be afraid. Speak from your heart, because that's where your passion and your truth comes from. I used to practice what I'm gonna say to people, but it's more natural and authentic when you just let it flow.

One of the biggest challenges I face is that here where I live, it's all about who you know, and it's kind of hard to get opportunities because you have to be friends or in some sort of organization to even get a job. Those are some of the things and challenges that I face - where I'm not in those circles, even though I have the experience, and that's the hard thing about it. As for opportunities in my field, there are roles in workforce development, talent acquisition, outreach specialists, and program managers. I think my next step will be in management - I want to be over a program. Program management will probably be my next step in my career, because I'm so big on helping people and being a resource for others, so I want to be over a program that offers some sort of assistance.

In my work life, some of the things that I value and care about are helping people in my community. I've been in community service and outreach for quite some time, and I'm all about fairness and opportunities - I feel that everyone should have that equal opportunity. Pretty much respect - people should be respected no matter what their background is. Everyone deserves a fair chance.