Emijah Smith Discusses the Imperative Role of Black Women and Mothers in Our Communities
Emijah Smith (left) sits with Omari Salisbury (right) in the KKNW Studio on Monday in Bellevue, Washington. (Photo: Erik Kalligraphy)
Seven years after her last appearance on The Mother’s Justice Show, Emijah Smith, an advocate and strategist for children and families, returned to the KKNW studios with host Omari Salisbury for a conversation on the role of Black women and mothers as the "pillar" of the community. A self-described "daughter of the Central District,” Smith shared insights into her lifelong mission of transforming racial inequalities and healing the harms of systemic oppression.
A Legacy of Advocacy
Smith’s roots in Seattle’s historic Black community have shaped her identity and purpose. Influenced by the Black Panthers and local institutions like the Odessa Brown Clinic, she viewed advocacy as a natural inheritance.
"I feel like it's really in me, not on me, to be an advocate for our community," she said.
Smith expressed deep gratitude for the show’s regular host, Salisbury’s mother Reverend Harriet Walden, who supported her during a 2019 school board run. Smith recalled how Walden poured wisdom into her, teaching her "what it means to show up and show out for Black women.”
Emijah Smith sits in the 1150AM KKNW studio in Bellevue, Washington on Monday. (Photo: Erik Kalligraphy)
Challenges Facing Black Families
The conversation shifted to the systemic hurdles currently facing Black families in Seattle, specifically regarding healthcare and education. Smith emphasized the need for "access to dignified health care," recounting personal and community experiences of "normalized anti-Blackness in the system" where patients are often treated with a lack of respect.
She advised families never to navigate the medical system alone. "Just don't think because they have a white jacket on that they know what's best for you,” Smith said.
In the education sector, Smith spoke out against the "prison pipeline" and "adult bullying" she has witnessed in schools, where minor mistakes by Black children are often met with harsh discipline rather than understanding. While she acknowledged the work of great educators, she stressed that parents must remain their child’s primary advocate.
"I'm my child's first teacher, and we're going to do this in a partnership," she said of her approach to school staff.
Building "Colorful Communities"
Smith is now channeling her decades of experience into her business, Colorful Communities LLC. The organization provides advocacy training to help community members navigate the legislative systems in Olympia. Her work has already seen tangible results; in 2026, she led a successful legislative effort to increase the indigent account for incarcerated individuals from $25 to $100 to help meet basic needs for food and hygiene.
Reflecting on the power of collective action, Smith left a strong reminder amidst the turmoil in today’s day and age. "It is about the win, but the win ultimately is about how strong we are together,” she said.
As she continues her work across King County and the state, Smith remains a steadfast voice for those often marginalized by systemic structures.
To learn more about Colorful Communities, reach out to communitycolorful@gmail.com
Listen to Smith’s full interview on The Mother’s Justice Show here.
Tune in to The Mother’s Justice Show Mondays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on 1150 AM KKNW.
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