A native of New Jersey, Latrice T Smith was raised and educated in Newark, New Jersey. At a young age, she was in the custody of Division Youth and Family Services (DYFS) due to her mother’s struggles with mental illness. As a high schooler, she was pregnant at the age of fifteen and attended an alternative school for pregnant teens. Latrice immediate families were affected by the impoverished communities, compounded with a high level of unemployment, gangs and drugs, she realized she too was in jeopardy and she must remain focused to never lose sight to define her path and destiny.

Ms. Smith, obtained her GED, joined the Navy Reserve and has been employed at the City of Newark for the last thirteen years. She realized her voice and actions could be her vehicle and has been avid community advocate within the City of Newark. She is the author of Define Your Path and the founder of Embracing Arms. Embracing Arms is an Innovative Therapeutic Organization who works with individuals, families and peer groups in the inner-city communities by experiencing Social and/or Mental Challenges. Their goal is to provide a positive support system by teaching the clients how to Embrace, Educate, Encourage, Enhance, and Engage one another as they help assist with the necessary tools needed to begin the process of self-healing. The Book, Define Your Path, is a workbook about a self-journey to finding out who you are, self-healing and journey to finding your own relationship with God.
Her awards include but are not limited to her starting the 1st Newark’s March of Dimes, awarded the Wellness Warrior for Mental Health, District Leader of District 41 in Newark, NJ; Tenant President of Spruce Park Tenant Association for several years, Girl Scout Troop leader of troop #114, Founder of an online book club named My Daughter’s Book Reading Club, and Unsung Angel for making an extraordinary difference in the community.

Latrice realized early in life, the right decision leads to rewards and incorrect decision lead to disappointment and delay. She has devoted time and effort to look inward and question who I am, who she wants to become and what mark she wants to leave behind. She would like to be in a position to evoke and inspire changes by teaching people the proper tools to embark on the journey of discovery and achievement. A leader is one who knows the way, gives the way and shows the way. She learned with a little bit of faith and hope, one can go a long way with determination and will power, regardless of where they came from.

In 2015 Latrice decided to go back to college after several fail attempted in the past. She graduated from Pillar College with a social degree in Biblical Studies May of 2017 and is currently working on her BA in Psychology. Latrice wants all 3 of her children including herself to receive a college education. Latrice currently an Autodidact Spokesperson and Advocate for Mental Health. She recently received a certificate for completing a course in Social and Emotional Learning and became a Grief Facilitator for Imagine Newark where she facilitates grief sessions for children ages 3-5 years of old. She decided to use her life lessons are teaching tools to help other people who are or have experience some of the same situations as herself. She is currently working on a campaign in the City of Newark to Erase the Stigma which is a symbolic effort to stand up in support for individual who are affect by Mental Illness. For her 42th Birthday she decided to create a showcase reading a Monologue of her childhood experiences about how living with someone with mental illness can affect you.