Most Interesting and Influential 2005: Geneva Smith

GENEVA SMITH
LANSING CITY COUNCILPERSON

     Geneva Smith was born on plantation in Tutwiler, Mississippi.Her family left for Lansing when she was 8 years old. She graduated Lansing Sexton, Lansing Community College, and Michigan State University.Geneva is a single mother of two children, Reggie,34, Isha,33, and a proud grandmother of one granddaughter, Bria, age 11.
      Geneva was President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of Lansing for four years.  She was  fourth female to become president. During her four years Geneva obtained permanent sponsorship from General Motors for the NAACP programming.  Geneva also developed the first MEAP Camp that the Lansing School District now runs.
      In 1999 President Bill Clinton appointed Geneva to the Task Force on Minority with Disabilities. Geneva was elected Vice President to the Lansing City Council in 2001 to represent the 4th Ward(the northwest quadrant)of the City of Lansing. She attends Neighborhood Meetings and often holds public forums to get input from the 4th Ward residents on specific issues and concerns. Geneva’s Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity instigated the City’s efforts to increase the contracts with minority owned companies. She is currently Chair of the General Services Committee, a member of the Development and Planning Committee, Public Safety Committee, Ad Hoc Committee on Housing and Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity. She is the Council’s representative to the Capital Region Airport Authority, the Lansing Planning Board, Tri-County Michigan Works, and Principal Shopping District.