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Courtney Smith

Position: Business Owner, Movement Leader
Categories: Business Owner, Movement Leader
There are people who see shortcomings in our society and feel overwhelmed or apathetic. Then there are people like Courtney Smith who roll up their sleeves and fill in the gap. With over a decade of experience in the social impact sector, she has dedicated her career to promoting equity and social justice. Recently dubbed a modern day history maker by Essence Magazine, Courtney is a servant leader, serving not only by choice, but by nature. Her undeniable tenacity birthed the Detroit Phoenix Center, a high-impact nonprofit organization meeting the wraparound needs of homeless and high risk youth & families. She is also the lead strategist at Humble Work & Co., a social impact firm mobilizing millennials to make a difference in the world. Her outstanding commitment to service has garnered national recognition, including Comcast Newsmakers and the Steve Harvey Show. Courtney prides herself on being transparent and progressive, two traits that have made her a sought-after speaker on topics related to youth and community development, advocacy, and servant leadership. Courtney has been named to Crain’s Detroit Business Twenty in Their 20s list of trailblazers to watch in the region. She is a Michigan Chronicle 40 under 40 honoree, Forbes Under 30 nominee and a double-time recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award; along with many other notable achievements. Courtney sits on the Board of Directors for Hero Nation and is an Advisor for the Child Forward Initiative. Courtney graduated from Eastern Michigan University and is pursuing graduate coursework at Harvard University.