Janay Marriel Smith is a mechanical engineer, product designer, lawyer turned caregiver, comedian, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose purpose is bound by improving the lives of others.

Ms. Smith’s world turned inside out when her father’s abrupt death thrust her mom, Yvette Smiley-Smith, into early onset Alzheimer’s. Ms. Smith halted everything to become a caregiver.

Standup comedy bridged the gulf of life’s calamity. Performing as J. Smiles, the conscious comic has performed in the Bahamas, Italy, South Korea and throughout the USA. She embraces virtual and live stages for diverse audiences from clubs to corporations.

Parenting Up! Caregiving Adventures with Comedian J Smiles, is her podcast that supports caregivers through stories of hardship with a touch of humor. Ms. Smith owns the nation’s largest private multi-sport collection of game worn authenticated memorabilia, The Jock Michael Smith Collection (TJMSC), LLC. Her partnership with the Smithsonian (NMAAHC) is the only reason a sports gallery exists in the award-winning museum.

The Montgomery, AL native’s career began at Ford Motor Co, and by 25 she was managing an award-winning team in Valencia, Spain. Next, Ms. Smith went to The Gillette Corporation’s Advanced Global Research Center and made significant patentable contributions in oral care and grooming. Later, she joined The Cochran Law Firm, founded by Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. and her father, Jock M Smith. *insert life calamity*

Ms. Smith received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University; a MS in Product Design Engineering from Stanford University; and a JD from Cumberland School of Law.

Ms. Smith advocates for organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Heart Association, among others. A few of her memberships include the Alabama Bar Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling the world, mentoring, scuba diving and learning. The Super-Auntie, she has 11 godchildren.