Jabari Smith is an International Motivational Speaker, TV Host & Producer, Event MC & Facilitator, Social Entrepreneur, Personal Development Coach, and – with 22 countries under his belt – a Global Citizen. He is a proud native of New Orleans, Louisiana on a mission to uplift and inspire lives across the globe while serving as a mentor, coach, and advocate for youth, young professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs via his company Jabari Inspires: Motivational Speaking & Global Citizenship Consulting. Jabari strongly believes that everyone should live out their purpose and promotes “dream catching” through motivational talks, coaching, and media appearances.

After graduating from Howard University in 2007 with honors, earning a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism, Jabari taught English in Japan for two years as a participant in the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Programme.

In 2012, he helped to re-elect U.S. President Barack Obama as an Organizing For America (OFA) Youth Outreach Coordinator and Field Organizer. A self-proclaimed life-long learner, Jabari received entrepreneurship training from The Kaufman Foundation’s New York City-based program in 2010 and The Amani Institute’s Nairobi-based program in 2013. Upon extending his stay in Kenya, Jabari served as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Africa Community Development Media.

His recent distinctions include: delivering an impassioned TEDx Talk titled, Debunking Stereotypes Through Global Citizenship (2014); being selected to represent the globally- renown NIVEA Men brand as its #GetItYourself campaign Spokesman (2015); serving as an expert consultant and mentor for Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Kenyatta Trust Executive Mentorship Program (2015-2016); and traveling to Morocco as 1 of 100 global youth leaders promoting intercultural & interfaith coexistence through the A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY) program (2015).

In 2016, Jabari hosted two multi-media series: global travel company World Nomads web-series Extraordinary Experiences filmed in New Zealand, as well as his own weekly travel & culture series Jabari Inspires that aired on TV Cosmopolitan (TVC) in Kenya. Additionally, he taught Intercultural Communication to students from over 30 countries at The Language Center, LTD. in Nairobi.

Upon moving back to the United States in 2017, he was awarded the Alumni Award for Excellence in Philanthropy by his alma mater. Now residing in Los Angeles, California Jabari is working with Snapchat as a Brand Ambassador. Passionately walking in his purpose, he confidently believes that “the BEST is yet to come…”