Roshonda Smith's inspiring journey as a German Marshall Fund Fellow
Published Thursday, November 9, 2023 Roshonda Smith is best known as the Vice President and Regional Community Development Manager of Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky for Huntington Bank. At Y.O.U. we see her as one of our dedicated board members. Roshonda has been on the board for four years.
Roshonda shared with Y.O.U., “I joined the Y.O.U board because as a graduate of what was then called Cleveland Municipal School District, I saw the impact of workforce training on the confidence of young people. Many of my classmates were able to participate in the summer jobs program and earn money over the summer break through real on-the-job experiences. As a seasoned professional, I felt it was important to lend my time and network to an organization that helped young students transition into adulthood with skills that could propel them into sustainable careers. I was particularly interested in how Y.O.U helps to develop the soft skills, such as interviewing, financial empowerment, and self-advocacy.”
This year, Roshonda Smith was awarded the German Marshall Fund (GMF) Fellowship. The program brings together leaders from Europe and the United States in order to promote a deeper understanding of transatlantic relations and develop a network of influential change-makers.
Roshonda shared with Y.O.U. that her fellowship experience was an exploration of global leadership, transatlantic relations, and the power of connecting diverse ideas and perspectives. After a rigorous selection process, Roshonda was chosen as one of 25 fellows from the United States. This year’s cohort also included 35 Europeans. The opportunity was made possible through the Cleveland Foundation, a long-standing partner of the GMF. Roshonda became a representative not only of the United States but also of Cleveland, a city known for its welcoming stance toward immigrants.
The program features months of virtual convenings as well as an almost month-long trip to various participating countries. Roshonda traveled to France, Armenia, Greece, and Belgium. The fellowship provided unique insights into different aspects of society and governance, with wide-ranging discussions with nonprofits to government officials and meetings with leaders in various fields, such as banking, law, journalism, politics, and community development. Roshonda was deeply inspired by the diverse areas of interest represented in the group. The camaraderie among the cohort fostered a rich exchange of ideas and experiences.
One of the key takeaways from her experience was the contrast between how European and American leaders perceive and engage with global politics. European leaders displayed a remarkable level of awareness and engagement with international politics, likely because the world often watches the United States for cues. This divergence in global political awareness sparked her realization that events around the world profoundly impact local communities, an insight that has heightened her commitment to global awareness.
Roshonda wants to instill in American youth “the value of learning about global politics and how it impacts us as Americans.” Some of the leaders she met in her travels were teenagers. She thinks we can do more to teach our local youth to lean into politics in some way.
During her visit to Armenia, a crisis unfolded in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan, shifting Roshonda's perspective from a sense of affection for a place to genuine concern for the people. She realized the world was not as distant or disconnected as it might seem, and events in one corner of the globe significantly impact communities everywhere.
One of Roshonda's core goals is to inspire hope among young people, both in the United States and around the world. Roshonda is committed to instilling in young people a sense of responsibility for global issues and inspiring them to take action.
She firmly believes that her newfound perspective can be a source of inspiration, demonstrating the significance of hope, unity, and the shared values that connect us all.