By: Lennard James
In a time when leadership often feels disconnected from the lived realities of everyday people, Dr. Thurston Smith continues to distinguish himself as a transformative figure whose work bridges global insight, community action, and an unwavering commitment to justice. With over two decades of leadership spanning civic service, ministry, military education, and behavioral health, Smith is shaping conversations and catalyzing change at both national and international levels.
Most recently, Smith returned from a professional tour in Japan, where he conducted strategic leadership training for U.S. military commands. His work emphasized cross-cultural dialogue and service-based learning, enhancing the organizational leadership capabilities of personnel in highly structured environments. His approach goes beyond classroom theory, he fosters intentional leadership practices grounded in empathy, inclusion, and results. These international experiences have only deepened his commitment to equity and advocacy back home.
Dr. Smith currently serves as a consultant to nonprofits, government agencies, and private institutions. Among his federal appointments, he collaborates with three bureaus within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). His contributions span policy advisement, program strategy, and culturally competent service delivery, especially for historically underserved populations.
A recent milestone in Smith’s journey is the awarding of his Doctor of Ministry degree with a focus in Social Justice. For Smith, this academic achievement is far more than a credential—it represents a public affirmation of his life’s mission to challenge injustice, support healing, and shape systems of equity.
“The health crisis facing African Americans is not simply medical—it is moral,” Smith has said. “Culturally responsive care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.” His voice underscores the urgency to rethink care systems and dismantle the structural inequities that continue to marginalize Black communities.
Through AAHARC, Smith is working to expand funding for mental health services and addiction recovery programs, particularly in underserved areas. He is also forging partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), ensuring that institutions rooted in African American empowerment are central to these healthcare solutions. His vision includes developing national models for culturally competent care and creating pathways for community-based organizations to receive federal and state-level support.
Dr. Smith’s impact, however, extends well beyond healthcare. He is also a respected leader in the fields of education, counseling, and ministry. As a licensed counseling practitioner and adjunct professor at Graceland University, he teaches psychology and sociology with a focus on trauma, systems thinking, and social transformation. His dual training in public administration and counseling allows him to address both structural and individual changes.
He believes in the strength of grassroots leadership and the transformative power of faith-based and veteran communities. His ministerial philosophy aligns with his advocacy: ministry is most impactful when it meets people where they are, especially in their pain. “Social justice is not a trend—it’s a theological imperative,” he has said.
Dr. Smith’s academic credentials include a Master of Public Administration from Capella University’s School of Public Service Leadership and a Graduate Certificate in Counseling from the Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. These qualifications, combined with his real-world experience, position him as a rare leader who is equally comfortable in academic, governmental, and community-based settings.
As he continues to build bridges between institutions and the communities they serve, Dr. Thurston Smith remains a powerful advocate for sustainable change. Through coalition-building, policy development, and compassionate leadership, he exemplifies how vision, service, and justice can come together to reshape systems and uplift lives.
