Tokiwa T. Smith Biographical Sketch

An alumnus of Florida A & M University, with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Tokiwa Smith has devoted her career to improving the educational experiences and leadership opportunities of youth and young adults.  Ms. Smith has over 8 years experience working in academia and non-profit organizations developing and managing educational programs precollege and college students. She also has over 6 years experience developing and implementing hands on math and science curriculum for K-12 students.  Ms. Smith is an emerging leader and expert nonprofit development and management and providing math and science educational opportunities for K-12 students.

In 2004, Ms. Smith combined her love for math and science and desire to help students achieve academic success to create Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link, Inc. (SEM Link), a   not-for-profit tax-exempt corporation, which she currently serves as Executive Director.  SEM Link provides educational support and career exploration activities in math and science for K-12 students at community organizations and local schools. SEM Link’s two core programs, Experimental Design Program and Math and Science Career Academy, provide students with an opportunity to develop their math and science skills by enhancing the classroom learning experience and teaching them skills that are transferable to other areas of life.  In January 2010, Ms. Smith relocated to San Francisco Bay Area to expanded SEM Link’s programs and position SEM Link to be a national nonprofit and leader in providing outside of classroom math and science educational experiences for youth in Metropolitan Atlanta, San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

Ms. Smith is always an active member of the community where she lives.  She has served as a math and science tutor and instructor for projects and programs with several community organizations in Metropolitan Atlanta and the San Francisco Bay Area.  She has held several leadership roles in the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE), most recently serving as the Southeast Regional Chapter Liaison.  Ms. Smith is the Advisory Board Chair of the Miss/Ms Black Georgia USA Scholarship Foundation.  Tokiwa is an alumnus of the United Way Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) and Women’s Economic Development Agency’s (WEDA) Atlanta Microenterprise Initiative. She has also been a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).  Ms. Smith enjoys giving back to the community in various ways.  She believes strongly in the notion that service is the rent we pay for living.