HBCU Walking Billboard

“I think that there was a catalyst moment in my life, and so, life took me into education, but if I had been paying attention, I would have known that this is where I was supposed to be all along.”Ms. Shanelle SmithPrincipalhttps://www.hbcuwalkingbillboard.org/“My new message became y'all can accomplish a whole lot more together than apart.”In this powerful episode, we sit down with Principal Shanelle Smith of Lincoln College Preparatory Academy — her very own alma mater — to explore the profound impact Black educators have on their students and communities. Shanelle opens up about her unexpected path into education, from navigating personal loss after her mother's passing to discovering a deep passion for working with underserved youth. She reflects on what she calls the "learning behind the learning" — the cultural wisdom, code-switching skills, and sense of belonging that Black teachers uniquely provide, and why their presence in schools remains as vital as ever.“I think that in order to really break down the state of education in Black America, we got to look at it in America as a whole.”Shanelle also shares the inspiring story behind her nonprofit, HBCU Walking Billboard, which started with something as simple as wearing an HBCU shirt and grew into a full 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing awareness of historically Black colleges and universities to Kansas City. From scholarships and college tours to annual send-off celebrations, the initiative reflects Shanelle's belief that students deserve to see every door that is open to them. As she puts it, her life's work is about liberation — giving students the tools, the pride, and the pathways to chart their own futures.