Her Story
About Shatavia
Shatavia Smith is an experienced professional in family sciences, maternal care, and community outreach. She has been in her field for 2 years, with her main area of expertise being community outreach, where she works with families to connect them with resources in education, healthcare, benefits, housing, and other situational needs while following up on goals and supporting programming to address chronic absenteeism and prepare children for kindergarten. She holds a bachelor's degree in child development and a master's degree in child life, and is currently pursuing a dual master's in MBA and MHA at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas. She is Salesforce administrator certified and holds five doula certifications covering labor, postpartum, lactation education, infant and family education, and child education. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and works with 24 For Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas, while developing her own nonprofit, 67 Birthing, to provide resources for families experiencing infant or maternal loss. She attributes her success to her strong family unit that continuously supports, loves, and guides her, and values her relationship with Christ, family, community, and being a kind person who helps others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shatavia
01What do you attribute your success to?
My strong family unit continuously supporting me, loving me, and guiding me along this journey. Even through the trials and tribulations, I still continue to push forward.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never stop learning, never give up. Things may look like they're hard or impossible, but once you really just buckle down and understand that there are no ceilings, you just click. Continue to strive. Just wake up every day and just put your best foot forward.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do not be afraid to have a voice. Whether it's cracking, whether it's small and tiny, whether it's a little bit broken, still let your voice be heard. Don't be afraid to cause a ripple in the waves.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include navigating grief, postpartum, and being told no while pushing forward to create resources in marginalized communities. Opportunities include working with influential people, sharing stories, learning from them, and paying it forward by helping others.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My relationship with Christ, family, community, and being a kind person who helps others to make the world a better place. Having a stable support system and being a stable community member for someone else.
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