Today we’d like to introduce you to D. Lee Smith.
Hi D. Lee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey has really been one of growth, faith, resilience, and learning to make room for the different ways I am called to serve. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and I have spent more than 10 years in the field of social work. What began as a desire to help people has grown into a career that has allowed me to work with at-risk children, families, adults, and communities across behavioral health, crisis services, mental health, and leadership.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work in many different areas of the field, from community-based services, foster care and inpatient behavioral health to therapy and crisis stabilization. One of the most formative parts of my professional journey was stepping into behavioral health leadership. Leading teams and supporting individuals and families during some of their most vulnerable moments taught me that impact is not only about the services we provide. It is also about how we lead, how we create safe and culturally sensitive environments, and how we advocate for people whose experiences are too often overlooked.
That evolution also led me to entrepreneurship. I founded Sacred Hope Wellness LLC as a space where I could bring together the different parts of my work and vision. Through Sacred Hope Wellness, my work has expanded beyond traditional clinical practice to include behavioral health consulting, professional training, speaking, workshops, youth and family support, and community partnerships. I have learned that I do not have to limit myself to one professional title to make a meaningful contribution.
Higher education has also remained an important part of my journey. After earning my bachelor’s degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University, I earned my Master of Social Work from Madonna University and was honored to be recognized as Madonna University’s 2023 NASW-Michigan MSW Student of the Year. I am now a Doctor of Social Work candidate at Capella University, where my capstone research focuses equity-centered leadership and Black client engagement within community mental health. My doctoral journey has challenged me tremendously, but it has also strengthened my commitment to leadership, culturally responsive practice, and creating change at the organizational level.
Today, I see my work at the intersection of social work, behavioral health leadership, entrepreneurship and community impact. I am still evolving, and I think that is one of the most important parts of my story. I have learned that purpose is not always revealed through a straight or predictable journey. Sometimes each season gives you another piece of the vision. Looking back, I now understand how each chapter of my journey has helped shape who I am as a woman, leader, social worker, and entrepreneur.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges has been navigating burnout while working in a field that I care deeply about. Social work and behavioral health require you to meet people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and I have learned that my passion for serving others cannot come at the cost of my own well-being. Learning boundaries and what sustainability looks like for me has been an important part of my journey.
One of the more difficult parts of my journey has been working within systems while recognizing the very gaps that impact the people they are meant to serve. Advocating for individuals, families, and communities while navigating barriers related to access, resources, funding, inequities, and organizational practices can be difficult. There have been moments when advocacy meant asking uncomfortable questions, challenging practices, and speaking up for the people we are supposed to be serving. I have seen how quickly decisions made at the policy level can impact the work we do every day and, more importantly, the individuals, families, and communities we serve.
Those experiences have shaped the kind of leader and social worker I am today. They have also strengthened my desire to not only recognize where systems fall short, but to use my voice and experience to help create meaningful change within them. The difficult seasons have taught me the importance of sustainable leadership, cultural sensitivity, advocacy, and creating spaces where both the people receiving services and the professionals serving them have the opportunity to thrive.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sacred Hope Wellness LLC is a behavioral health and wellness organization focused on strengthening individuals, families, professionals, and the systems that support them. While my background includes direct clinical practice, the vision for Sacred Hope has continued to expand beyond one-on-one services. A significant part of our work is partnering with organizations, schools, community programs, and other helping professionals to strengthen their capacity to respond effectively to the behavioral and mental health needs of the populations they serve.
Through Sacred Hope Wellness, I provide organizational consulting, workshops, professional development, and customized trainings in areas such as trauma-informed care, crisis de-escalation, staff wellness, culturally sensitive practice, behavioral health, and working with vulnerable or hard-to-reach populations. I am passionate about helping organizations go beyond identifying what is not working and really look at what needs to change within their systems, practices, and approach to developing and supporting staff. The goal is to equip teams with practical strategies they can actually integrate into their everyday work.
What I am most proud of is that Sacred Hope Wellness reflects my belief that meaningful behavioral health work happens at multiple levels. We can support individuals, but we also have to strengthen the environments and systems they encounter. I want organizations to see Sacred Hope as a trusted partner that can help them think critically about their current practices, better equip their teams, and build more responsive, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed approaches to serving their communities.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
First and foremost, I give credit to God. My faith is foundational to who I am, and I genuinely believe that I am where I am today because of His plan and purpose for my life. Learning to trust His direction has shaped how I approach my family, leadership, and work. My husband has played an incredibly important role in my journey. As a working mother of four young children pursuing a doctorate, building a business, and continuing to grow professionally, I could not do this sustainably without his support. One of the greatest gifts he has given me is creating space for me to step away and take sabbaticals when I need them. Having a partner who understands that rest and self-care are necessary for me to continue leading and serving well has allowed me to pursue my goals without believing I have to sacrifice myself in the process. My four children are also some of my greatest motivation. I want them to see what it looks like to live aligned with God’s will for your life, pursue purpose boldly, and stand firmly in your faith.
I am equally grateful for my siblings, parents, and closest friends who have supported me throughout every season. My oldest sister and brother often remind me that many of the qualities they saw in me as a child are now flourishing in ways that allow me to make an impact today, and there is something so meaningful about having people who knew you before the titles and accomplishments remind you of who you have always been. My closest friends have championed me every step of the way with genuine love, encouragement, prayer, and support. Although my name may be attached to the work I do, there is a community of people behind me who have created space for me, poured into me, prayed for me, celebrated me, and reminded me of my purpose along the way.
Contact Info:
