Testimonials

Speaker ~ Author ~ Educator

The Professor of P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S.

Colleges & Universities

2008 Brown Bag Series & 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration
Wayne State College

African-American Student Leadership Conference
Texas Womens University

Big XII Conference on Black Student Government
University of Kansas

Big XII Conference on Black Student Government
University of Colorado at Boulder

Big XII Conference on Black Student Government
University of Iowa

Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota

High Schools

Norfolk Senior High School, Norfolk Nebraska

Abraham Lincoln High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Thomas Jefferson High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Omaha North High School, Omaha, Nebraska

Brook Valley High School, LaVista, Nebraska

Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Burke High School, Omaha, Nebraska

Lincoln Southwest, Lincoln, Nebraska

Lincoln Northstar, Lincoln, Nebraska

Lincoln High School, Lincon, Nebraska

Organizations

Norfolk High Junior Statesmen

Native Omaha Club

Omaha Public Schools Community Learning Center

Macedonian Missionary Baptist Church

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Student Organization Against Racial Tension

Elite Good Ones Incorporated

It was my honor and sincere pride to have you arrive to present. It was absolutely PROFOUNDLY an eye awakening-life impacting moment for all those present!

Sharvonna Pedersen
Charles Drew Medical Center

I loved your presentation! You have an energy and passion for what you do and it touches everyone who is listening. You touched on so many things that seem so obvious but aren’t what you normally think about . . . like “respecting the struggle”, not expecting immediate gratification or being able to “feel the fear” and still believe in yourself and your goals.

You have a unique ability to motivate and inspire. Listening to your presentation made me take a deep look at myself and discover changes I need to make. Since the conference, I have challenged myself to meet the needs of my peers and/or bring those needs to light so that others can recognize their calling.

I was also struck by changing our “shoulds” into “musts”. Our own personal mindset determines how we deal with things and you really clarified it when you talked about self-sacrifice. What will you give up, to get what you want? That is the new question I pose to all of my freshman who are struggling in school. When I phrase it like that, it changes their priorities and outlook, which could possibly change their life.

You are a great person with a positive attitude on life and I keep you in my prayers. Good luck with your future ambitions.

(There were many other topics that you touched on that really affected me, like “turning your beliefs into your passion” or “being relentless in pursing your destiny” but for times sake I kept it short.)

Janelle Butler
University of Nebraska-Omaha

I truly believe you were a great choice in selecting a motivation speaker. It was an honor to bring such a smart and intelligent person of your caliber to come and speak to the youth on making better choices in life. The Urban League’s Whitney Young Academy looks forward to working with you again this school year. Also because of your talk on investments I did a little research and now I interested in investing.

Nicole Mitchell
Outrech Specialist, Whitney Young Jr. Academy
Urban League of Nebraska, Inc.

Very commanding speaking voice. I was engaged in the topic the entire time and was eager to hear more.

Shayla Law
Oklahoma State University

My students had the privilege of being provoked by Joseph Smith to stop accepting what they hear as the truth and begin seeking it out themselves. Since then I have been challenged on multiple occasions in class on the validity of several articles and text that the students and myself have utilized. My students are charged. The same kids that I couldn't get to give me a homework assignment are now telling me about documents and media clips that they checked on after hearing Mr. Smith speak. I don't exaggerate or romanticize. Joseph Smith lit a fire under many of my students and I am the ever-grateful educator for it.

Barry Thomas
Teacher, History, Omaha North High School
Omaha, Nebraska

This workshop was an empowering lessaon. I value the tips for success Joseph shared with us. It is a beautiful thing to see successfull Black community leaders reach back to help the younger generations.

Tamara Nash
Wayne State College, Class 2009

"Joseph can reach audiences of all ages. I had the opportunity to listen to Joseph talk to a group of children about organ recovery and the importance of being an organ donor. When Joseph speaks, he makes you really want to listen. His voice is motivating and entertaining."

Katie Barnett
Teacher, Lincoln Public Schools
Lincoln, Nebraska

I had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Joseph Smith, II speak to the congregation at my church in Norfolk, Nebraska twice. Mr. Smith spoke once to the youth, and once on Organ Recovery for the state.

When speaking to the youth he encouraged them to finish school, set goals for themselves, learn as much as they can and to prepare for a future not just a job. Use the resources offered to them to learn how to attain their goals. He had their full attention.

He had information on scholarships and much more for the youth. He also appealed to the parents to research resources for their children, encourage them to look at their other educational skill to attain their goals not just sports.

When he spoke on Organ Recovery I learned some startling facts. He spoke passionately on organ recovery. He made me decide to sign up to be a donor, to give some one else a chance to live comfortabley. I would love for him to come and speak again and I would encourage anyone to have him come to speak for them.

Verna Murff
Lead organizer
Macedonian Missionary Baptist Church
Norfolk, Nebraska

Our organization, like many others were experiencing the effects of an overburdened and burnt out core of active members. We were falling apart internally. Then at the Big XII Conference on Black Student Government in 2003 I attended the Campus Leadership workshop presented by Mr. Smith and I was blown away by the amount of knowledge he had about our situation even though he had never known us. His experience in leading and organizing social & civic institutions was a great benefit to our strategies that have since made our organization a success. Since employing Joseph’s strategies to our particular situation our membership has gone up, our bank balance has increased and we are generating the unique ideas that we have been missing for so long. If your group is in need of creative assistance then Joseph Smith is the man you should call.

Robert Bennett
President of M.A.C.T. Minorities in Accordance Coming Together
Wayne State College

With my experience as an educator, community leader and administrator for Omaha public schools I have not met anyone with the kind of energetic passion that is needed to reach some students. In 1999 Joseph conducted the Black History Program for my former elementary school and after the program had ended and days had gone by since Joseph’s visit some of my school children were reading and talking over Black History and the need to be informed so that no one can take advantage of them. They actually independently sought out the books that Mr. Smith had suggested that they read and actually read them. I was amazed by his brilliant performance and the depth of his knowledge in a wide area of subject matter. I strongly recommend to others who are in the business of teaching and inspiring young people to contact Joseph and allow him to motivate your school, organization or business to a greater degree positive social action.

Glennesia R. Profit, Principal
Lincoln Elementary
North Platte Pubic School District