Book kemba smith as a keynote speaker for your next event by contacting. My unexpected invite to the 2016 state of the union. The only downside about this book was kemba seemed to try to justify her actions in. Kemba smith is a wife, mother, advocate, consultant, and public speaker educating the public about the consequences of the current drug policies. Former richmonder turned advocate and international speaker kemba smith pradia shared her incredible life journey in the pages of her latest book, poster child. In this longawaited memoir, kemba smith shares her dramatic story, as it has never. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her courage and determination to educate the. Criminal justice, women and incarceration, domestic violence, drug. Before selling her book she pretty much shared with the congregation her life story. She has written a book about her ordeal titled, poster child. We get wind of this biopic from our friends at cinematical.
Interested in having kemba smith pradia as a keynote speaker at your next event. Smiths story is pretty shocking and should make for an interesting film. The author is working with ingram to make her book available there in the near future. Kemba smith pradia keynote speaker book for your event. Ninety years later, kemba smithpradia was an undergraduate student at hampton university. She had a son, armani, during her first months of incarceration. Hear her story of strength and resilience, continuing the legacy of women leaders in the struggle for the betterment of our communities.
She particularly was trying to reach out to younger girls and boys. Kemba smiths story takes a more positive turn thegrio. More than 15 years after being sentenced to 2412 years in prison, receiving one of the toughest sentences for a first time nonviolent offender, kemba smith, now kemba smith pradia, is still telling her story so others can learn from the mistakes she made. This particular author of this book came to my church about two years ago. Kemba smith pradia shares her journey of being a college student, victim of domestic violence and mother sentenced to 24.
A lesson learnedkemba smith pradia recounts her journey of falling in with the wrong people, getting a lengthy sentence and. Kemba smith pradia share her traumatic real life experience in her book, poster child. After her release, she married patrick pradia and they have a 17monthold daughter, phoenix. Raised in a protective, middleclass community near richmond, virginia, kemba smith had spent four years in an abusive relationship with a man named peter hall. Join facebook to connect with kemba smith pradia and others you may know. Instead of shuttling her 5yearold daughter to gymnastics and volunteering at her school, 44yearold kemba pradia smith could have still been in danbury federal correctional institution. Congresswoman tulsi gabbard dhawaii and kemba smith pradia after receiving the invitation from congresswoman gabbard, i went online to find out more about her. I discovered that in 2002, at 21 years old, she became the youngest person ever elected to the hawaii state legislature. My life saved by reprieve of 24year sentence for crack. My unexpected invite to the 2016 state of the union kemba. Kemba smith pradia keeps fight against domestic violence alive. The book poster child the kemba smith story is a great book to read. Feb 09, 2017 book kemba smith as a keynote speaker for your next event by contacting. Virginia, kemba smith pradia graduated high school and continued.
She has received numerous awards and recognition for her courage and determination to educate the public about the devastating social, economic, and political consequences of current drug policies. Kemba smith pradia i s a national speaker whose real life experience compels todays youth to recognize that there are consequences to their actions and life choices. It was founded by kemba smith pradia, who was convicted of a federal crime related to crack cocaine possession and had her sentence commuted by president bill clinton. Similar to millions of women who are currently in abusive relationships, kemba smith pradia never imagined herself involved with a partner who. I downloaded this book because of a referral from one of my friends. In this longawaited memoir, kemba smith shares her dramatic story, as it. Kemba smith pradia, the woman who became a poster child for sentencing reform after serving more than six years of a 25year sentence in federal prison, has been appointed to the virginia parole board. Initially it was about educating youth about not getting caught up in the drug culture and lifestyle.
Book kemba smith as a keynote speaker for your next event by. Kemba smith pradia has received awards for her efforts to educate the public about the social, economic and political consequences of. The cover line notes, it was easy falling in love with a drug dealer. Featured on cnn, nightline, the early morning show, and a host of other television programs, kembas story has also been. Featured on cnn, nightline, court tv, the early morning. What is remarkable about this author, kemba smithpradia, is that she is still.
Apr 02, 2009 life for 37yearold kemba smith is a lot calmer than it used to be in the 1990s. In fact, smith wrote that hall blindfolded her during their first date so she wouldnt see exactly where he lived, guarding his base of business operations. She shares her traumatic real life experience in her book, poster child. What happened to kemba in her new campus environment was a nightmare. The kemba smith story, she kept her heart openbut her eyes and ears shut. Does this woman deserve to be locked up for 24 years. Virginia beachs kemba pradia smith, advocate for clemency. Life for 37yearold kemba smith is a lot calmer than it used to be in the 1990s. You can purchase poster child on the authors website or on the kemba smith foundation website. Poster child, the kemba smith story pdf book library. Back in the 90s, when she was just kemba smith, she became a poster child for the excesses and inanities of. She got involved with the wrong crowd and found herself behind bars as an accessory to a nonviolent drug. Inquire today for her speaker fee and availability. Lilburn ga, 30047, statesboro ga 30458, covington ga 30016 possible relatives.
Her book was featured at the naacp convention in july of this year. My life saved by reprieve of 24year sentence for crack cnn. Aug 24, 2015 former richmonder turned advocate and international speaker kemba smith pradia shared her incredible life journey in the pages of her latest book, poster child. Kemba smith pradia is a wife, mother, national motivational speaker, consultant, author, and criminal justice advocate. Kemba smith tells it allselfpublished book by college kidgonewild. Pradia was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison at the age of 24 for conspiracy to participate in her boyfriend s illegal drug activities. Hugs for kemba smith and her family new pittsburgh courier.
Kemba smith tells it allselfpublished book by college kidgonewild turned drug sentencing reform advocate, kemba smith, is providing an instructive, eyeopening look at how poor life choices can squander the future of an otherwise promising young middle class woman. Kemba smith pradia, a national motivational speaker, author and advocate for domestic violence prevention, will be the keynote speaker at the 2016 sister ii sister summit, being held from 9 a. Growing up as an only child in richmond, virginia, kemba smith graduated high school and continued her education at the prestigious hampton university. Kemba smith pradia, a formerly incarcerated woman, will deliver the keynote address on thursday at 4pm in the millhiser moot court room, sydney lewis hall. Kemba smith uses her mistakes to educate youth new. Congresswoman tulsi gabbard dhawaii and kembasmithpradia after receiving the invitation from congresswoman gabbard, i went online to find out more about her. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her courage and determination to educate the public about the devastating social, economic, and. Poster child, the kemba smith story by kemba smith nook book. Kemba smith pradia after growing up as an only child in richmond, va. It was founded by kemba smith pradia, who was convicted of a federal crime related to crack cocaine possession and had her sentence commuted by president. Read about the incredible life journey of kemba smith pradia. Jun 26, 2017 smith hadnt dated a drug dealer before and, as she wrote in her memoir poster child. In 1989, smith met hall as a 19yearold sophomore at hampton university. In this longawaited memoir, kemba smith shares her dramatic story, as.
Nov 17, 2011 her book was featured at the naacp convention in july of this year. All i ever wanted stories of children of the incarcerated. While there, she experienced a nightmare that led to a 24. Kemba smith pradia appointed to virginia parole board. Kemba smith pradia, pardoned by clinton, is appointed to. During that time she was a student at hampton university who hung out with the wrong crowd more specifically, the wrong guy. Read about the incredible life journey of kemba smith pradia in. In addition, kembas story has been featured in several publications, such as the washington post, the new york times and emerge, jet, essence, glamour, and people magazines. This was an outstanding book to read especially for teenagers who are going off to collegesuniversities as well as adult reading. The kemba smith story chronicles how she went from college student to drug dealers girlfriend to domestic violence victim to federal prisoner. The kemba smith foundation is an american charitable organization which aims to raise awareness of certain social issues, including drug abuse, violence, aids, teenage pregnancy, and abuse. Doris kenny, wayne l smith, selina r swann kemba r smith, age 37, antioch, tn 370 view full report. Kemba shares her story of how making poor choices blinded by love and devotion can have longterm consequences.
A movie about kemba smith a woman wrongly convicted of drug crimes has begun. For interviews or bookings, she is available through nommo speakers bureau to speak on topics that include. It was founded by kemba smith pradia, who was convicted of a federal crime. The kemba smith story tuesday, december 19, 2017 on transformation for success voiceamerica the leader in internet media. What happened to kemba in her new campus environment was a nightmare, and led to a 24. Smith pradia, as featured on the naacp web site the naacp provides this book synopsis. The kemba smith story tuesday, december 19, 2017 on transformation for success voiceamerica. Similar to millions of women who are currently in abusive relationships, kemba smith pradia never imagined herself involved with a partner who could become physically abusive. Read about the incredible life journey of kemba smith. Kemba smith, age 32, lilburn, ga 30047 view full report known locations. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected.