POWERED BY WITHNESS^®

IAN “JAHITI” SMITH

The inaugural recipient of Nucleus Advisors’ “THE BEAUTY” of Withness^® Award

A GIFTED ARTIST AND ADVOCATE RECOGNIZED FOR HIS BEAUTIFUL COMMITMENT TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

We are thankful for the gifts Ian “Jahiti” Smith has shared in the communities he has served from Baltimore to Wilmington—communities where he has made a difference by opening his mouth for the speechless, giving his heart to the disfranchised, and sharing his wisdom with respected leaders. Nucleus believes that the greatest evidence of whether or not you have wisdom comes from the words you speak to others, for others, and with others. On that basis, we know that Ian has wisdom and his actions backing up his wisdom has inspired all of us at Nucleus. We are honored to recognize Ian “Jahiti” Smith as a gifted advocate who exemplifies the principles of the path to withness^®.

Ian “Jahiti” Smith is an experienced community and government leader, a passionate youth advocate, a skilled teacher and gifted musician. He is also an wonderful son, husband, and dad committed to helping build stronger communities, to humbling serving the citizens of his home town, and inspiring the next generation leaders throughout his community and in the organization that he leads as Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation for the city of Wilmington, DE.

Ian’s gift for withness^® began taking formal shape while he was in college. After receiving his degree in Social Science at Coppin State University, Ian began volunteering for various communities and national organizations, such as the Baltimore Area Council and Boy Scouts of America, where he learned the fundamentals of community organizing, grassroots planning, fundraising, and civic leadership.

Ever since college, Ian has grown as a musician and community influencer, creating his own unique style of what Nucleus calls withness^® to enable him to connect deeply with individuals and community organizations that are committed to supporting the most vulnerable individuals and families.