Meet Jessica
Jessica Smith grew up in Baltimore County, Maryland, attended Catholic schools from K-12 and
went to college at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. There, she studied Communication
and Philosophy and was heavily involved in service-based organizations. This led her to a
career in the nonprofit world, working with entrepreneurs, youth and marginalized populations.
She is currently attending Howard University to obtain her Master’s in Social Work.
Jessica is currently the Founder and Executive Director of The Mental Health Emergency Fund,
Inc., a Baltimore-based nonprofit that reduces financial barriers for community members who
need to access mental health care. She is also a guided meditation facilitator, where she uses
scripture to help people slow down and connect with themselves and God. She is passionate
about destigmatizing the need for mental health support in Black and Brown communities.
Jessica believes in the power of storytelling and using your voice to reclaim your power. She
has her own mental health battles and uses her platforms to advocate for therapy and healthy
coping mechanisms. Jessica is also a Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor, where she
teaches adults who work with youth how to identify signs and symptoms of suicidal behavior,
mental health crises and substance abuse. Her therapeutic areas of focus are anxiety,
depression, life transitions, relationships and faith topics.
Outside of school and work, Jessica is a proud TiTi to her niece and nephew, a supportive
sister-friend and a prayer warrior in her faith community. She loves listening to podcasts,
thrifting and playing around with countless hairstyles. One of her favorite quotes is “Our deepest
fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your
playing small does not serve the world.” – Marianne Williamson
