Justin Smith
Justin Smith
Residence: Ensley
Political experience: Worked on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and Randall Woodfin’s mayoral campaign in 2017. Interned in the Alabama State Senate and for U.S. Sen. Doug Jones.
Professional experience: Has worked with Everytown for Gun Safety, as youth program director for Birmingham Urban League, in marketing for Hoar Program Management and at Saks Fifth Avenue in Boston; was named to the Birmingham Business Alliance’s 50 Under 40 list.
Educational experience: Bachelor’s in political science, Boston College, 2024; certificate in organizational leadership, UAB; graduated Wenonah High, where he was chairman of the Birmingham City Schools’ Student Advisory Board, 2020.
Civic engagement: Smith has been an activist since he was in high school. Spurred on by the violent deaths of classmates and relatives, he led a student movement for gun reform. He also led moves to get Birmingham students out of school uniforms, and he’s worked on anti-bullying campaigns and advocacy for social issues as well as entrepreneurial efforts to support those issues, such as promoting a clothing line.
Main issues: Public safety is one of Smith’s top issues. On his website, he says, “We need a serious reimagining of how public safety and law enforcement
operate. We need a system that thwarts crimes but does not criminalize
communities. By divesting from bloating budgets and reinvesting into underfunded agencies and CBOs, we will renew trust and build community within our neighborhoods.” Also on his list is education. Smith says he wants more investment in Birmingham Promise, to implement cultural and capacity learning into district schools, deemphasize standardized tests, ensure robust funding for all schools, and “prepare students for learning beyond where they come from.” Business growth is the third plank in his platform, and he says he wants to help existing businesses survive and new businesses open.
