Shanika Smith

I currently work as a licensed nursing home administrator in a facility located in Hearn, Texas, and I've been in this role for a little over a year now. I absolutely love what I do. My journey to this position has been driven by my commitment to breaking generational curses - I'm pursuing my DBA degree because no one in my family from my grandma's lineage has earned a doctorate or master's degree. This achievement is more for self-satisfaction and to create a new legacy for my family. Beyond my professional work, I'm deeply committed to giving back to the community. I founded my own nonprofit called Emma's Place, which is a shelter for people who are less fortunate. I don't call it a homeless shelter because I hate the word homeless. I have a particular focus on helping battered women and children because that's something I came from myself, and I feel like that's my mission. I'm always active in the community, whether through my church or other initiatives. At the end of the day, my three boys are my driving force - they saved me, and everything I do is for them.