Taeja Smith is an Aug. 2015 graduate from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism. 

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​Smith's passion for journalism ignited in June 2003. Her hometown of Benton Harbor Mich., erupted into a riot –- burning houses and throwing bricks at authorities. The anger reared from simmering tensions of police brutality in the city.

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At age 11, Taeja watched through the lens of media. And discovered the profoundness of its power.

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The riot launched her small town into national headlines such as New York Times or lead stories on Good Morning America and CNN. The passion in her town combined with the eyes of the media brought Former President Jimmy Carter to town. He even started a low-economic housing program with former Governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm.

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Henceforth, she wanted to solicit herself as the voice of the begotten and ill-heard through various media platforms.

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That same spirit has carried Smith to Washington D.C. as a reporter and to several news stations as a news producer.