Ms. Jowan Smith
Author, Voice Actress,
Grant Writer, Philanthropist,
Entrepreneur,
Commercial Model, &
Hall of Fame Inductee
As Seen on the
Jennifer Hudson Show
My Pain Point Became
My Mission, But Was
Always My Purpose!
ABOUT
Jowan Smith is the Author of Zakari Goes to College, Grandma Hattie's Ice Cream & Mya, Mya, Mya. As with her businesses, she uses her personal experiences to tell a story.
Jowan Smith is a dynamic community leader, author, and advocate for youth empowerment. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Policy and Management as well as a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing. With a 15-year career in media, Jowan made her mark in sales, public relations, voiceovers, and event planning before dedicating five years as a Caseworker for Cuyahoga County. Her passion for uplifting youth led her to found Getting Our Babies to College 101 after becoming a finalist in the Cleveland Leadership Center's Accelerate competition. A year later, she launched the nonprofit 1,000 Ties, which mentors young men ages 10–17 by teaching essential life and leadership skills.
Jowan has appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show, was named a 2025 Northeast Ohio Remarkable Woman, and received the International Impact Award for her beloved children's book, Grandma Hattie's Ice Cream—an Amazon Top 25 title twice. Her work has also been honored with an induction into the John Hay High School Hall of Fame in 2022.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Jowan is a commercial model and voice actor featured in corporate training videos and national campaigns. A seasoned journalist, she has penned stories highlighting icons like Sharon Draper and Margaret Bernstein. With eight published titles, Jowan continues to inspire through education, storytelling, and hands-on mentorship—shaping brighter futures for youth across the nation.
Awards:
*Cleveland Leadership Center Accelerate Finalist 2017
*JumpStart Core City Impact Finalist 2018
*Urban League Growth Plan Pitch Competition Finalist
*2019 Future History Maker Z107.9 & 93.1 FM
*Emerging Philanthropist Honoree in
the Soul of Philanthropy Cleveland
*NCNW Trailblazer Honoree 2019
*2020 Cleveland Public Library Drum Major for Change
*Phenomenal Woman Award 2020
*Cleveland Leadership Center Accelerate Winner 2020
*Cleveland Public Library Unsung Hero 2022
*John Hay High School Hall of Fame Inductee 2022
*Phenomenal Woman Award 2023
*10 Black Women You Should Know Award 2024
*People Power Award 2024 (Ivanhoe Broadcast News)
*CAVS DIFF Maker 2025
*Northeast Ohio Remarkable Woman 2025 (Nextstar)
Keynote Speaking Engagements:
WGBH Ed Forum 2017
National Family & Community Engagement Conference 2018
City of Cleveland Mayor's Youth Summit (2017, 2018, & 2019)
President's Council Youth Summit 2018
CSU Teen Summit (2017, 2018, & 2019)
Warrensville Heights HBCU College Fair 2017
Great Lakes Black Authors Summit 2019
TRI C's Francis M Franklin Scholarship Luncheon Keynote 2022
Cleveland Clinic Weathering Symposium Keynote 2024
Invictus High School Commencement Speaker 2025
PUBLICATIONS
Get an autographed copy today or buy a set of books for your school or organization.
10% of all sales will be donated to the 1,000 Ties organization.
We are so excited to announce that
Mya, Mya, Mya, Zakari Goes to College & Grandma Hattie's Ice Cream
is now available at all Cleveland Public &
Cuyahoga County Libraries
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
You can also book a Grandma Hattie's Ice Cream Book Reading and Workshop. During this workshop participants will make ice cream and read with Author Jowan Smith.
Email for more information jowan@gobtc101.com
