JoAnn Smith

JoAnn Y. Smith was born on Sunday, April 5, 1981 in Boston, Massachusetts to Joe and Regina Robinson. She has one brother, Steven Perry and two sisters, Angela Perry and Jolanda Atwater. She was named after her father and her grandmother decided that this would be a great name for her. JoAnn believes that the best education she ever had started at home. This was the foundation of her learning experience. This was when her parents taught her the principles in life and values that she still hold strong until this very day. Family is life’s greatest treasure and JoAnn will never lose sight of that.

The schooling years of her life were the toughest. JoAnn did not apply herself, as she needed to. She was an average, close to failing student throughout her academic life. JoAnn had given up and stopped trying. This mind-set of thinking did not get her anywhere and she became quickly depressed and defeated. Fortunately, it was not until she enrolled in a two-year college program at Urban College, that gave her the determination and the passion to start again. She thanks God for the educators and the awesome support team that helped her understand the value of hard work. JoAnn excelled from an average close to failing student, to an excellent academic scholar. She remained on the dean’s list until graduation day. This academic standard got her in the school of her dreams where she holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wheelock College. JoAnn will now begin her journey of completing the master’s Program in the fall of 2020.

“My life is youth!” has been the anchor of her Christian journey that God is leading her on. She believes the full involvement of the family is key to the youth prospering in life. It is her prayer to supply families with essentials needed in that family that will allow them to live a wholesome life as they are taught Biblical foundations and are led by The Holy Spirit. She believes it is critical to connect Biblical values of God to the family and the surrounding community of families.

In August of 2015, JoAnn married the love of her life Rashaan A. Smith. She is grateful to God for their union and the path that God is leading him on. Jo-Ann is grateful that they stand together as one to lead Joshua Church with the help of the Holy Spirit. “She is so grateful and honored to be a servant for The Kingdom of God. Sis. Jo-Ann is extremely excited about her future journey in Christ and where God is about to propel Bibleway and all its extended branches as they collectively win souls for the Cause of Christ.