empowering strength and resilience

Board

Board Chair – Marsha Sheree Smith

living a life poured out

Marsha was born in Wichita Falls, TX at Sheppard A.F. B. She is a daughter of a retired Air Force, Vietnam Veteran. As an Air Force “brat” she traveled to many places around the country and abroad. Marsha is also a Veteran, she served in U.S. Army for 5 years as an Accounting Specialist. She had the honor of serving with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) (Airborne). Known as the Night Stalkers, they are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations, and where portrayed in the popular movie, “Black Hawk Down”.

After her military service, Marsha relocated to Winston Salem, NC, where she has resided for more than 20 years. Marsha is a graduate of Brookstone College of Business. She earned her Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration from High Point University, and she earned her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Winston Salem State University.

Marsha is a member of St. Stephen MBC in Winston Salem, NC., where she serves as the Girl Scout Troop Leader. She also serves in the Audio/Video Ministry, Jail & Prison Ministry, Beautification Ministry, Outreach Ministry and the Women’s Ministry. Marsha serves as Chair on the Board of Directors for Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR), a non-profit community action organization that serves the working poor in Forsyth County, NC.

Marsha is also the owner of Simple Elegance Designs – Hand Crafted Wreaths, Event Planning and Design, and has been in business since 2014.

After many years in the private sector workforce, Marsha began working for the Veteran’s Benefit Administration (VBA) in the Department of Veteran Affairs in 2011, as a Rating Veteran Service Representative (RVSR). In 2015, Marsha transitioned into management and is currently a Coach for a team that processes Veteran disability compensation claims.

Marsha is happily married to U.S. Army Retired First Sergeant Thomas L. Smith, Jr. and has a daughter, Sierra.

Marsha’s life work and passion are service to others and is intentional about making an impact on the lives of everyone she encounters throughout her life’s journey.

2022-2023 Board Members

Chad Archer, Kanika Brown, Kevin B. Byers, Diane C. Fitzhugh, Julie Goodman, Eva Gray-Allen, Dierdre Hill, Marcus Houston, Virginia C. Martin, Jackie Milam, Sean Patrick K. Miller, Carol G. Mitchell, William H. Penn, Brenda Redd, Charlie A. Reed Jr., Rev. Dr. Michael W. Robinson, Masonne Sawyer, Aimee L. Smith, Marsha Smith, Leslie O. Winbush

Executive Board

Marsha Smith (Chair), Kevin B. Byers (Vice Chair), Julie Goodman (Secretary), and Jackie Milam (Finance Chair)