About Dr. James Smith

James Smith Jr., Ed.D. is a transformational leader whose life and work span military service, higher education leadership, authorship, and ministry.  Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Smith developed resilience and discipline early in life.  Those qualities shaped his path from enlisted Sailor to commissioned officer in the United States Navy.

Over a distinguished military career, he served aboard aircraft carriers and advanced through leadership roles, earning recognition for his commitment to excellence, accountability, and team development.

Following his military service, Dr. Smith transitioned into higher education, where he served at Norfolk State University in multiple leadership capacities, including Coordinator of Academic Advising, Assistant Admissions Director, Admissions Director, and Transformation Advisor in Enrollment Management.  As a Presidential Leadership Fellow, he gained deeper insight into institutional strategy, policy, and leadership development, helping to shape student success initiatives and strengthen enrollment systems.

Ministry has run alongside every chapter of Dr. Smith’s career.  As a servant leader at Mount Hermon Baptist Church, he has dedicated himself to teaching, guiding, and uplifting others through faith-based leadership, counseling, and community engagement.  That same spirit carries into his writing.  Dr. Smith is the author of the Brooklyn-Raised, Purpose-Built series.  This four-volume leadership memoir chronicles his journey from urban beginnings to military service, academic leadership, and spiritual growth.  His work explores discipline, identity, purpose, mentorship, and transformation, offering readers practical insight for navigating their own paths.

Across every chapter of his life, Dr. Smith has remained committed to one central belief.

Dr. Smith resides with his wife, Linda Laverne Smith, in Portsmouth, Virginia.