Jowan Smith is the CEO of Getting Our Babies to College 101 and 1,000 Ties, Author,

Commercial Model, and Motivational Speaker. Raised in Cleveland and a graduate of John Hay

High School she has a big heart for the city. Starting her career as an Event Assistant for

Creative Marketing Group at the age of 19 was the beginning of a twenty-year career in event

planning. She used her amazing natural talent in event planning and marketing to work for

Raycom Media Cleveland (Channels 19 & 43) and Chancellor Media (93.1FM & 92.3FM). She

has held many roles: Promotions, Sales, On Air Talent, and Voice Over Professional. Jowan

attended Bryant and Stranton College and obtained an Associate Degree in Business

Administration with a minor in Marketing. This led her to a great career with the Cuyahoga

County Department of Jobs & Family Services where she saw first-hand how the lack of post-

secondary options impacts the community.