Life & Work with Shanett Smiley of Dekalb county-Ellenwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanett Smiley.

Hi Shanett, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I migrated from Jamaica as a young girl, at age 12 and it has always been a dream of mine and desire to give back to my country in some way. I attended middle school, high school and college in the United States and worked for years in the Education/Youth Development field during and after college helping many students to be successful in their learning and life and wanted to extend my help to children/students throughout the world starting with Jamaica.

Over the years, I have always gone back to visit Jamaica and the community I grow up in, St Thomas and it is always very overwhelming to see how many families are struggling to make ends meet. Many families can not afford to buy all the necessary supplies to send their child/children to school. I remember when I was going to school, the teacher would cut a notebook in two and broke the pencil in half and give to the children who did not have. I don’t know why but that stuck with me upon till this day.
I realized that there is a great need where this problem is concern, not every child is fortunate to have the basic school necessities to go to school each year. As a result, a few of years ago I started this mission. I collected donations from friends, family and coworkers packed my suitcases and donated the school supplies to children at my Primary School, Duckenfield Primary in St Thomas, Jamaica and also to children throughout the island while on vacation. I had 12 backpacks and some school supplies and I was super excited to be in Jamaica that year…2011.

Continuing this work is of great importance to me, so Barrels By Smiley was official created in 2019. And as of last year, 2025 Barrels By Smiley has been able to impact about 1600 children/students. I can tell you it’s only God. I dreamt it, imagine it and its just amazing how far we have come. I am determine to make this my life long mission to give back whenever I can and as much as I can to one child at a time…one barrel and one smile at a time. And I am so very grateful for the wonderful help and support throughout the years.

Last year alone, with the love and help, Barrels By Smiley was able to:
-Impacted nearly 600 students with backpacks/ school supplies in Jamaica across 7 schools and 1 organization
-Sponsored and bless 8 students with laptop
-Mentored and supported a student heading off to college
– Sponsored a student and helped her chase her dreams to participate in the Florida synchronized swimming competition
– Continued empowering youth through our online Youth Empowerment Club I started about 2 years now
-Participated in our 3rd year of a local community coat drive through local partnership

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road at all, but I know God definitely been with me through the struggles. Figuring out to ship to Jamaica and clear customs has been one of the biggest challenges.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an self employed, independent professional. I have worked as a real estate agent for over 20 years and worked in nonprofit/youth development as well. And as proud founder/CEO and director of Barrels By Smiley. I specialize in people. I love and are passionate about helping people succeed…especially children and youth. I am most proud of the positive impact I have made on many children/youth lives throughout my years. What set me apart from others is me…There is only one Shanett Smiley. I am special in my own way there is no one in the world like me because God said so.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about my city is it’s diversity of people and the central location to get to different parts of the surrounding areas. And the least thing I like would be the lack of whole food resources and low income housing for persons in need.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barrelsbysmiley.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barrelsbysmiley/