The Smarts shoot to better the Richmond community

Janeal Downs
Staff Writer

Men’s basketball coach Shaka Smart has done more than just elevate the team to success. He and his wife were both recently included in Style Weekly’s 2014 Top 40 under 40 for their work giving back to the Richmond community.

Shaka and Maya Smart have lived in Richmond for about five years and both are involved in the community.

One of Maya Smart’s biggest contributions to the community is by serving on the YWCA of Richmond’s board, a position which she has held for about a year and a half. She also chairs the Program Committee which she said makes sure the entire program is in line with the organization’s strategic plan and the needs of the community.

Some of the services the YWCA offers include education, prevention and support programs in relation to sexual assault and domestic violence. They also have an early childhood education program.

She also is on the grant distribution committee of the Community Foundation. If a non-profit applies to receive money from them, she is a part of a group of people who review the application, go to the organization’s site to talk with them and then they make decisions about who gets grant money and how much. She said both the YWCA and the Community Foundation approached her for help.

“I felt that I could have a big impact at the YWCA and also the Community Foundation,” Smart said. “I’ve also done some fundraising for Friends Association for Children … where they help build education centers in Jackson Ward and Church Hill.”

She said she previously has done a lot of volunteering through organizations that were focused on writing.

On her website mayasmart.com, she continues to blog and write. She also is on the advisory board of James River Writers.

She said for her, the YWCA is one of the organizations closest to her heart.

“The organization reaches out to people in very tough situations and helps them work, to get out of that situation and into city housing, and to get their kids into safe schools and also counseling services and other programs to help them with self-esteem,” she said.

As of press time and with the season quickly approaching, Shaka Smart was not able to comment.

Maya Smart spoke of some of the ways he gives back to the community when not working. She said he enjoys assisting with a program called “Shopping with the Rams,” a partnership with Target and The Boys and Girls Club. Around the holidays, she said the team and coaches take children around Target where they can use a gift card to get Christmas presents for their parents and siblings.

“And the kids are so enthusiastic and so appreciative and I think that’s one of his favorite things throughout the year,” she said. “He’s particularly passionate about fundraising events and using his platform to raise awareness for organizations that serve children particularly in the city of Richmond.”