Candidate for
Council Member; City of Cincinnati

BIOGRAPHY The Beginning Christopher Smitherman was born in Cincinnati and raised in the North Avondale neighborhood. He attended St. Mark Elementary and graduated from the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA). He is one of six siblings from the union of Dr. Herbert and Barbara Smitherman. Attending SCPA provided direct experience with wide varieties of cultures and cultural arts. High school was a cornerstone that unleashed Christopher's interest and dedication to human equality. Hard Work and Preparation During his teenage years, Christopher spent extended time with his grandfather. He treasures the quality time he spent with his elder. It is the wisdom and guidance he received from their conversations that keeps the memories alive. Christopher didn't just hear about hard work. His grandfather required that his "city" grandson participate in the manual labor of running the farm. This hands-on experience is where the lessons of preparation and long-term planning were planted into Christopher's mind and actions. Initiative and Leadership Christopher pursued a degree in criminal justice at The Ohio State University. Christopher was not the only one of his siblings attending college. So, the sophomore combined his knowledge about planning and his habits of hard work to secure and maintain employment on campus. Through his job search he learned that Resident Advisors (RAs) receive free meals and housing, plus a paycheck. Their job was to "create a community" among a diverse group of students living on the same floor of a campus housing unit. Yet, they also were responsible for confronting and reporting violations of the student code. This job was a tremendous asset to increasing Christopher's leadership and mediation skills. It also was an asset to his parents' wallets. In fact, his employment as an RA was the stepping-stone to promotions in Residence Life positions for the next seven years. Accountability with Compassion In 1990, Christopher accepted full-time employment as a Hall Manager at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Bowling Green, Ohio. He also proposed to and married Pamela, his wife of 14 years. Again his skills for long-term and thorough planning led him to an optimal situation to continue his education at minimal costs. This time meals, housing, and tuition were covered. Christopher changed direction away from the field of criminology. He completed a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling which balances his criminology background well. In conjunction with the graduate courses, Christopher and a friend created and began facilitating "Let's Talk About Race" workshops. The intent was to get individuals talking honestly and openly about their race-related opinions. The workshops continue to be conducted, most recently at Xavier University. Like the trains that run night and day through the city of Bowling Green, Christopher traveled many crossroads at BGSU. Vision in Action Although Wheeling Jesuit University (WJU) was a new environment, students, staff, and faculty faced challenges similar to any other college campus. Wheeling Jesuit provided Christopher the opportunity in 1994 to use the knowledge and experience he had gained thus far to actually implement policy changes. Christopher brought new ideas and new perspectives to his positions as Director of Campus Life and Director of Summer Conferences and Adult Education respectively. The results? A new method for selecting and training residence hall staff. New discipline strategies for eliminating extreme student behavior. Consistent enforcement of policies across the entire student body. Unprecedented growth of the revenue generated from the many summer conferences he recruited. From Dreams to Reality After such a successful stint at WJU, Christopher was encouraged by his wife to follow his dream for self-employment to become a financial planner. Christopher was always impressed by what his grandfather had attained--land, cattle--but particularly having reached such accomplishments as a black man in the deep South. However, he was greatly disturbed that the variety of people he met over the years did not know how to make the most of their money. They typically used what they earned to buy material things. Christopher has remained committed to his original purpose of helping individuals, specifically young adults, to use money well. He emphasizes discipline to live responsibly, save for the future, and plan beyond one's life. In five years, the practice has grown to 600 clients and a merger with another financial planner. Christopher returned to Cincinnati in 1997 not only to begin his entrepreneurial endeavor, but also to settle down his growing family. Throughout his 10 years in the Residence Life field, Christopher has received consistent feedback and affirmation about the clarity, fairness, and effectiveness of his leadership skills. His education in criminology and counseling enhance his natural people skills. His success as an independent businessman is the visible testimony of his persistence and productivity. The combination of his enthusiasm and leadership serve as the foundation for his team-building talents to accomplish a set goal. The Present Voters elected Christopher Smitherman, Charter Committee candidate, to Cincinnati City Council on November 4, 2003. His first campaign garnered 25,483 votes to place 7th out of 26. Fiscal responsibility, racial reconciliation, and improved community-police relations were his platform priorities. Councilmember Smitherman is the Vice-Chair of the Arts & Culture Committee. He serves on the Law and Public Safety, Neighborhood and Public Services, and the Community Development, Education & Intergovernmental Affairs Committees. He attends every Finance Committee. He is also a Hamilton County Transportation Improvement District board member. Smitherman has successfully initiated policies with tangible results. His motion passed to allow part of drug-related dollars seized by police to be returned to the affected community. He introduced motions to pioneer regional economic cooperation via Joint Economic Development Districts and Cooperative Economic Development Agreements. He proposed to firm up the City's working capital fund. He also played a leading role in ending Fire Department brownouts. He is committed to establishing a comprehensive urban policy if voters re-elect him to a second term on November 8, 2005.