First-years and upperclassmen alike gathered in Hamline Church on Thursday, September 28 to hear the 2017 Commitment to Community speaker. This year, Kemba Smith delivered a moving presentation on her life, with messages intertwined about America’s prison system and the impact a decision can have.

Smith was raised an only child in Richmond, Virginia. Coming from a household with fairly restrictive parents, Smith was thrilled to have more freedom once she began attending college at Hampton University. Eventually, Smith met Peter Hall, a man who would soon become her boyfriend. Over time, Hall became more and more abusive, both physically and mentally, and his identity as a drug dealer was revealed.

Smith and Hall remained together, largely due to the fear instilled in Smith as a result of the abuse. Eventually, Hall began to force Smith into helping with some of his business, having her act as a supporting character in the drug ring of which he was a part. Not long after, Hall went to further extremes, murdering a previous friend of his and increasing the abuse he inflicted on Smith. As Smith felt more and more trapped in the relationship, the government got closer and closer to finding and finally catching Hall. Unfortunately, Smith’s story did not end with her boyfriend’s arrest.

Due to her involvement with Hall and his drug business, Smith was tried and eventually sentenced to twenty-four and a half years in prison.

“During the domestic violence hearing that preceded my trial, my 86 year old white judge was sleeping!” Smith exclaimed to the crowd during her presentation.

When Smith was sentenced, she was seven months pregnant with Hall’s son. After she gave birth, she was immediately sent to prison to complete her sentence. Her parents took custody of the child while she served her time.

“I wasn’t able to see, touch, hear or smell my baby after I gave birth to him,” Smith said.

Smith told the audience during her speech how important it was for her to keep hope during her time in prison. She had her faith to hold on to, as well as her commitment to her family and fellow inmates. She spoke during an exclusive lunch with honors and journalism students about how she saw her fellow inmates who received less visits, mail and support than her, but how those inmates remained hopeful and joyful.

Smith’s hope payed off, as President Bill Clinton commutated her from prison after six and half years. Despite being released far earlier than she had initially expected, her time in prison had drastic impacts on her life. She missed out on her son’s first six years of life, she lost her right to vote for many years and she had witnessed some of the horrors of the American prison system.

Despite everything that  Smith has gone through in her life, she continues to persevere. Smith urges others to learn from her story and to stand up and take action against the injustices in this world. She spends her days filling others with hope and understanding, making a commitment to community that she deepens every day.