Meet Terri Smith of Detroit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Terri Smith

Hi Terri, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a woman who wears many hats. I have been an elementary school teacher in the Detroit Public School district for more than 25 years. I am also a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter. I host a monthly online radio show and DJ at various events and spaces. I’m the founder of The Little Bit Project, a nonprofit organization I established in 2015 to promote positive energy through initiating acts of kindness and supporting people in transforming their lives for the better.
Most recently, I completed a picture book of affirmations for children that will be published later this year.

My career in education and music, my nonprofit organization, radio show, and children’s book have one major theme in common – positivity, self-love, and mindfulness. I believe that part of my life’s work is to contribute to and co-create a world of people who love themselves genuinely and authentically.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There’s a quote by Wintley Phipps that says, “…if the mountain were smooth, you couldn’t climb it.” Truer words were never spoken. One of the things I’ve discovered is that while there may be external blocks in our path, most times our main obstacle is ourselves. From the cancer of comparison to limited thinking; from lack of discipline when it comes to achieving our goals to feelings of inadequacy, there are may ways I have been my own worst enemy. Through a deep and consistent commitment to my growth and healing using various modalities including therapy, journaling and the use of affirmations I’ve acquired an assortment of tools for my mental tool belt that help be to be more a friend to myself than an adversary,

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As I stated previously, I do several different things – inside of the classroom and out. I’m am elementary school teacher, singer and songwriter, radio show host & DJ, founder of a nonprofit and an author. Although that list is quite diverse and expansive, there is one thread that connects them all – teaching, motivation others, and being of service. I believe those things are my primary purpose.

What may set me apart from others is that I recognize the privilege of being able to work in fields that connect me with my passion. Whether I’m teaching my students academic and all- around life lessons, singing or playing music that uplifts and inspires in my sets; finding ways to give back to my community through my nonprofit organization, The Little Bit Project, or writing books that encourage self-love and mindfulness – I strive to walk in and embody my purpose. Not only is that something I am proud of, it is certainly something for which I have extreme gratitude.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
As an artist and even as an educator, I hope the trend will continue to be about authentic self-expression. That tends to be a given when it comes to artistry, but I would love to see more modes of expression in the learning space. With many budget cuts and shifts in education ideology one of the things that has been sacrificed in school (especially public schools) is the arts. Music, visual arts, performing arts, journalism and creative writing – these curricula have virtually been removed from many schools – and with that removal some of voices of the students. Creativity and expression is one of the joys of childhood. That should apply across all spaces – especially educational ones.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thisisdiviniti.com and www.thelittlebitproject.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/diviniti and www.instagram.com/thelittlebitproject
• Facebook: www.faceboook.com/divinitisings and www.facebook.com/thelittlebitproject