Sylvia Smith-Brown - 2015 Chair of Living Portraits for African American Women
May Bethune Sweetheart 2015
Sylvia S. Smith has enjoyed a career with the City and County of Denver since 1988. During her tenure she has served in a variety of capacities - from Director of Policy and Research under former City Auditor, Donald J. Mares to her current position as a Program Specialist for the Denver Office of Economic Development where she manages public service, neighborhood and facility improvement contracts in addition to other special projects. A graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, Sylvia holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Denver.
Sylvia has been an active member in many organizations including the Colorado Black Women for Political Action (CBWPA), Single Mothers of Color, Inc., National Council of Negro Women-Inc., Denver Section and Colorado Common Cause. She has volunteered numerous hours to various community, social and political events. In her work capacity she is active with the Holly Area Redevelopment Project (HARP), served as a board member for the Asian Chamber of Commerce, serves as a Commissioner to the Denver Asian Pacific-American Commission and was appointed in 2013 by Mayor Michael B. Hancock to the City’s Ethics Board. In 2002 -2006 she served on the Steering Committee of the Denver Foundation’s “Expanding Non-Profit Inclusiveness Initiative” project which studied the local non-profit community and their inclusiveness practices specific to people of color. Sylvia lives in central Denver with her husband Darrick and enjoys spending time volunteering, exercising, enjoying the company of her family and friends, going to movies and traveling.
Favorite Quote – “Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth”
Shirley Chisholm