Cheryl Lynn Smith

Cheryl Smith is a distinguished publisher and media executive with more than four decades of experience in print journalism and more than 20 years in broadcast journalism. As the founder, publisher, and editor of I Messenger Media LLC, she oversees publications including I Messenger, The Garland Journal, and Texas Metro News, guiding them from concept to the newsstands and digital platforms. Her career also spans roles as an executive producer and talk show host for KKDA-AM, PAX-TV, and Blog Talk Radio, where she highlighted health, societal, and community issues, hosting prominent guests such as Ambassador Ron Kirk, comedian Dick Gregory, actress Diahann Carroll, singer Dionne Warwick, Minister Louis Farrahan, and economist Dr. Julianne Malveaux. A committed leader in professional journalism organizations, Smith has held numerous influential positions, including Treasurer of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, Secretary and Regional Director of the National Association of Black Journalists, and board member of the Society of Professional Journalists – Fort Worth. She has also served as president of the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists and the Dallas-Metroplex Council of Black Alumni Associations, reflecting her dedication to advancing media representation, mentorship, and community engagement throughout her career. Smith’s contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including the Messenger Award from NNPA, the Journalism Excellence Award from The Dallas Examiner, the Barry Bingham Sr. Award, and multiple honors from the NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, National Council of Negro Women, South and East Dallas Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, and Texas Publishers Association. She is an alumna of Florida A&M University (B.S. in Journalism) and Amberton University (M.S. in Human Relations and Business), and she has shared her expertise in the classroom as an associate professor at Paul Quinn College and adjunct professor at the University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University, and Dallas College. Beyond journalism, she has championed civic and philanthropic causes, founding the Don’t Believe the Hype Foundation and serving on multiple nonprofit boards. In 2025, her portrait was unveiled on the Thelma T. Gorham Distinguished Alumni Wall in FAMU's Journalism and Graphic Communication School.

• Amberton University - MS
• Florida A&M University - BS

• Messenger Award
• Journalism Excellence Award
• Outstanding Journalist Award
• Barry Bingham Sr. Award
• “Invisible Giant” Award
• Outstanding Alumni Award
• Woman of the Year award
• NABJ Hall of Fame
• African American Education Archives Hall of Fame
• Editor and Publisher 25 over 50 Publisher
• Florida A&M University Journalism and Graphic Communication Distinguished Alumni Award

• Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists
• Dallas-Fort Worth Florida A&M University National Alumni Association
• National Association of Black Journalists
• Society of Professional Journalists
• National Newspaper Publishers Association
• NAACP
• International Women's Forum

• Philanthropic
• Estabishing an endowed (paid in full) scholarship for journalism students at FAMU
• Estabishing a foundaiton to provide scholarships and programs for students in underserved communities
• Providing internships and fellowships for students
• VOLUNTEERING
• Decades volunteering with public service and community based organizations
• Founded a Realizing the Dream Healthy Living Expo to provide services and opportunities for organizations, individuals and businesses, and in 2026 we partnered with the Realize the Dream Volunteer Project in order to accumulate 100 million volunteer hours by January 15 2029 to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King's 100th birthday