Strategic and justice-driven leader with over 10 years of experience advancing grassroots organizing, community health, arts-based education, and equity-centered public engagement across the U.S. South. Proven success in building multigenerational coalitions, facilitating popular education, managing cross-regional programs, and leading advocacy campaigns. Skilled in policy analysis, curriculum development, and project management. Currently pursuing public health training to bridge community-driven health solutions with policy and systems change.
Hi, I’m
Ayana Clemmons-Smith
Chattanooga,TN
Summary
Overview
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Highlander Research & Education Center
Regional Leadership Fellow
06.2024 - Current
Job overview
- Spearhead grassroots leadership development and strategy sessions for Black youth across Appalachia, focused on movement-building, health justice, and environmental equity.
- Facilitate political education sessions and inter-generational learning spaces rooted in public health, anti-racism, and self-determination.
- Collaborate with regional networks and partner organizations to align base-building efforts with public policy and community healing initiatives.
- Support creation of curriculum, storytelling, and organizing tools to strengthen civic power and youth-led advocacy in historically marginalized communities.
Southern Movement Assembly
Regional Organizer
11.2021 - 02.2025
Job overview
- Led regional movement strategy across 13 Southern states, advancing racial, economic, and health justice through coordinated organizing, advocacy, and popular education.
- Designed and facilitated multi-generational community learning models, integrating public health and liberation frameworks to build grassroots power.
- Managed project timelines, stakeholder communications, and event logistics for large-scale digital and in-person convening, reaching 500+ participants annually.
- Produced strategic external communications (tool-kits, reports, and visual media) to engage a decentralized member base and influence public discourse.
- Provided political analysis and narrative framing used in base-building, funding strategies, and national movement partnerships.
Hamilton County Department of Education School Age ChildCare
Site Director
07.2021 - 11.2021
Job overview
- Oversaw daily operations of youth development programs, ensuring compliance with safety, licensing, and wellness standards in alignment with public health best practices.
- Supervised 10+ staff and maintained stakeholder relationships with parents and school administration to deliver equitable, accessible care.
- Managed budgets, processed enrollments, reconciled payments, and ensured operational sustainability through data-driven program oversight.
Erlanger Health Systems | Childcare CenterChattanooga, Tennessee
Lead Teacher - Pre K
12.2019 - 10.2020
Job overview
- Created trauma-informed, inclusive early learning environments focused on whole-child development and social-emotional well-being.
- Developed and implemented daily lesson plans that supported cognitive growth, cultural identity, and self-expression.
- Trained and mentored two assistant teachers in evidence-based, equity-driven classroom practices.
US Census Bureau
Census Enumerator
03.2020 - 08.2020
Job overview
- Conducted door-to-door enumeration and outreach in historically undercounted neighborhoods, ensuring equitable representation in federal data and resource allocation.
- Built trust and communicated clearly with diverse communities to increase participation, clarify privacy protections, and explain the importance of the census.
- Accurately recorded and submitted household data in compliance with federal protocols using mobile digital systems.
- Demonstrated adaptability, safety compliance, and cultural competency in a high-impact, time-sensitive national effort during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Urban League of Chattanooga
Community Outreach Coordinator
02.2019 - 03.2020
Job overview
- Developed community engagement strategies to increase access to health, education, and workforce services among BIPOC residents.
- Led culturally responsive outreach campaigns that improved program participation by 30% over 12 months.
- Built partnerships with faith-based, youth, and civic organizations to deliver localized programming aligned with racial and health equity goals.
Contemporary Performing Arts of Chattanooga
Director of Arts Education
12.2016 - 11.2018
Job overview
- Designed culturally relevant K-5 curriculum aligned with state education and social-emotional learning standards for five Title I schools.
- Secured and managed grants totaling $100K+ to sustain and expand educational programming.
- Hired, trained, and led a cohort of 8 resident teaching artists; facilitated professional development in arts integration and equity in education.
- Monitored impact metrics and authored program reports for stakeholders and funders.
Education
Southern New Hampshire UniversityHooksett, NH
Bachelor of Science from Public Health
01-2027
University Overview
Southern Movement AssemblySt. Helena, SC
People’s Movement Assembly Organizing School Certificate
01.2024
University Overview
Tufts UniversityBoston, MA
Black Futures Matter: Civic Life, Health, Equity Certificate
01.2021
University Overview
Universidad Sin FronterasAtlanta, GA
Educational Leadership Program Certificate
01.2018
University Overview
McGavock High SchoolNashville, TN
Academic Honors Graduate Diploma
01.2012
University Overview
Skills
- Health Equity & Social Justice – Racial equity, grassroots health education, anti-oppression frameworks
- Program & Project Management – Strategic planning, implementation, logistics, cross-functional coordination
- Community & Stakeholder Engagement – Coalition building, inter-generational outreach, civic participation
- Public Health Communication – Narrative strategy, curriculum development, facilitation, community-informed messaging
- Policy Advocacy & Movement Strategy – Base-building, issue campaigns, policy framing, systems thinking
- Fund Development & Grant Writing – Proposal writing, donor engagement, budget oversight, foundation reporting
- Technology & Tools – Google Workspace, Canva, Zoom, basic HTML, media production
- Leadership & Collaboration – Team leadership, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, public speaking
Leadership Highlights
Leadership Highlights
Community Facilitator – Chattanooga Racial Equity Collective | Aug 2019 – Sept 2019
- Facilitated workshops and trainings to address racial equity and promote inclusive civic engagement.
Grantmaking Panelist – RESIST Inc. (Remote) | Mar 2017 – May 2017
- Participated in participatory grantmaking process, distributing funds to frontline grassroots movements.
Leadership Team Member – Concerned Citizens for Justice | Mar 2016 – Present
- Engage in anti-state violence organizing, community-based education, and justice policy advocacy.
Timeline
Regional Leadership Fellow
Highlander Research & Education Center
06.2024 - Current
Regional Organizer
Southern Movement Assembly
11.2021 - 02.2025
Site Director
Hamilton County Department of Education School Age ChildCare
07.2021 - 11.2021
Census Enumerator
US Census Bureau
03.2020 - 08.2020
Lead Teacher - Pre K
Erlanger Health Systems | Childcare Center
12.2019 - 10.2020
Community Outreach Coordinator
Urban League of Chattanooga
02.2019 - 03.2020
Director of Arts Education
Contemporary Performing Arts of Chattanooga
12.2016 - 11.2018
Universidad Sin Fronteras
Educational Leadership Program Certificate
McGavock High School
Academic Honors Graduate Diploma
Southern New Hampshire University
Bachelor of Science from Public Health
Southern Movement Assembly
People’s Movement Assembly Organizing School Certificate
Tufts University
Black Futures Matter: Civic Life, Health, Equity Certificate
Similar Profiles
R. Noah MorrisR. Noah Morris
Community Health and Safety Consultant at Highlander Research and Education CenterCommunity Health and Safety Consultant at Highlander Research and Education Center
Kametrica FinchKametrica Finch
Event Organizer/Outreach Assistant at Highlander Research & Ed CenterEvent Organizer/Outreach Assistant at Highlander Research & Ed Center
Miles A. BrownMiles A. Brown
Research Assistant II at Scripps Health, Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and EducationResearch Assistant II at Scripps Health, Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education
Matty MillerMatty Miller
Commercial Pool Technician/Management at Ritchie Pools & SpasCommercial Pool Technician/Management at Ritchie Pools & Spas
Caroline CurtisCaroline Curtis
Team Captain at Baylor SchoolTeam Captain at Baylor School