Kemba Smith Pradia is a nationally recognized advocate for criminal justice reform whose story of resilience and the need for redemption brought national attention to mass incarceration and the war on drugs in the 1990’s. After being sentenced to 24.5 years for a drug-related offense tied to her abusive boyfriend and fighting a highly publicized legal battle, she received executive clemency from President Bill Clinton after serving 6.5 years.

Her story has inspired youth and women nationwide about life choices, while motivating students and professionals across disciplines to become advocates for social justice. She is the author of her memoir, Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story and executive producer of the award-winning film KEMBA, now streaming on BET+.

Kemba has worked alongside Members of Congress, The White House, the United Nations, state and federal probation agencies, universities and national organizations in advocating for reform on various issues to include drug policy, voting rights, prison education, reentry, clemency, probation, mental health, women and incarceration. Previously, she served on the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission and Virginia Parole Board under Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam.

As a compelling speaker, corporations such as Verizon, Travelers Foundation, Procter and Gamble, Bank of America, Gulfstream and Capital One have sponsored her speaking at events across the country.

This past academic year, Kemba was selected as an Equity in Action Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania and was a national consultant for a federal initiative aimed at rebuilding trust between college students at historically black colleges and universities and law enforcement. Along with the release of her film, Kemba also led an impact campaign urging President Biden and governors across the country to grant clemency to women who experienced intimate partner violence. This effort helped secure the release of her friend, Michelle West, whose character is featured in the film.

Ultimately, Kemba knows that there is a lesson in each experience in life. She has embraced her experience, learned from it, and is now using that experience to teach others.