Dr. Shanequa Smith arrived in West Virginia from Harlem more than two decades ago. Since then, she’s noted that the two areas have more in common than you think, and that is the systemic oppression of Black populations.

She became a restorative justice practitioner “to spread joy, education and connect people to desired opportunities.” Dr. Smith explains, “People can’t be what they don’t know. I believe there’s a light in us, collectively, that can let us overcome a lack of exposure and education for Black individuals.”

She associates three words with Black Joy: food, fellowship, and friendship.