Markell Smith
Grants & Foundations Manager
Markell Smith’s journey into community-centered work began in Baltimore, where she witnessed firsthand how families navigate complex systems while holding onto hope and resilience. Serving with the Baltimore City Council, she learned that meaningful change happens when you listen deeply, respond with compassion, and advocate for those whose voices are often overlooked. That commitment to equity and impact carried her into the Annie E. Casey Foundation, where she supported place-based strategies focused on youth opportunity, housing and racial equity, learning how thoughtful investment and community insight can transform lives.
Along the way, she had the honor of joining the inaugural cohort of the Bowie State Philanthropy Initiative, a program designed to promote economic mobility and career readiness by giving students real-world experience in philanthropy and further reinforcing my belief that opportunity, guidance, and support can change the social and economic trajectory for youth, adults, and families. This journey is what drew her to Generation Hope.
She is excited to serve as the Grants and Foundations Manager, where she can connect resources directly to the student parents and families, ensuring that every grant, every partnership, and every investment translates into tangible support, opportunity, and lasting impact.
Quote:
“The measure of success is not what you have, but what you give.” — Unknown
Why I chose this quote:
I chose this quote because I have been fortunate to have others uplift and guide me throughout my journey, and the only way I can honor that support is by paying it forward and helping others in turn. I believe that lasting change happens when we invest in people and empower them to reach their full potential, and for me, true success is seeing the difference we can make, knowing that investing in one person creates a ripple effect that strengthens entire communities.