Sam L. Smith

About Sam L. Smith

Samuel L. Smith Jr. is a community cultivator, advocate, change agent, strategist & innovative-thinker. With over 11+ years of experience working for various corporate and non-profits institutions.Currently, Mr. Smith is the Director of External Engagement with the United Way of Central Carolinas, where he manages the Unite Charlotte Fund. The Unite Charlotte fund was established in response to the unrest in Charlotte in September 2016. It builds upon the finding and recommendations published in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force’s report. The fund supports new and/or grassroots organizations that are offering innovative solutions to improve racial equity and social capital. Mr. Smith has been vigorous in the area of community advocacy for over 12+ years and has been a frequent volunteer and board member for various community-based not-for-profit organizations. Some include the United Way of Central Carolinas Young Leaders, International House Young Professionals, Out Teach, Right Move for Youth, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Citizen Review Board, and the City of Charlotte Community Relations Committee (CRC). In addition, Mr. Smith is a big brother with Big Brother/Big Sister.Mr. Smith is the founder of Tailored Career Coaching, professional development and resume writing boutique firm focused on assisting individuals in taking that next step in their careers, and co-founder of Black Market Exchange a technology platform that connects businesses and freelancers who want to support the Buy Black Movement.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   GreenLight Fund

   Aug 2022 — Present · Charlotte, NC, US

   Lead a community-wide Selection Advisory Council to advise on identifying high-priority community needs in Charlotte, NC, and the vetting and selection of portfolio organizations that can powerfully address them• Run an annual selection process to identify organizations with the potential to have a significant impact on community needs, conduct rigorous diligence and deep landscape analysis on prospective partner organizations• Represent GreenLight Charlotte externally and cultivate a network of relationships with community leaders, entrepreneurs, the private-sector investor community, philanthropic partners, government officials, and nonprofit and business leaders• Create and manage events to launch new portfolio organizations to the region and build awareness of and support for portfolio organizations

Education

• Baker College

  Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)

• University of Phoenix

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Skills

• Career Counseling
• Job Search Strategies
• Leadership
• Research
• Higher Education
• Strategic Planning
• Interviewing
• Resume Writing
• Student Financial Aid
• Event Planning
• Enrollment Management
• Recruiting
• Staff Development
• Community Outreach
• Public Speaking
• Customer Service
• Career Development
• Program Development
• Team Building
• Public Relations
• Training
• Student Affairs
• Fundraising
• Interviews
• Program Management
• Admissions
• Networking
• Nonprofits