Building Futures: Jabari Smith’s Path from the Club to The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

When we met Jabari Smith while filming the Baltimore Ravens Boys & Girls Club construction video update this past July, his story immediately stood out. A former Club kid who attended camps in Annapolis, Jabari is now a media designer at The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company—the very company helping to bring the new Club to life. In sharing how the Boys & Girls Club shaped his passions for STEM and media, Jabari reminds us why these spaces matter so deeply: they ignite possibilities that can shape a lifetime. Read on for a Q&A that left us inspired and energized to continue pushing toward our vision of closing the gap—one child, one Club, one community at a time.  

Can you tell me about your experience growing up in the Club? Which Club did you attend, and how did it shape you? 

I lived in a town that was rocked by the tragedy of gang violence in the late 2000s. After the death of Chris Jones, a teen who died in an act of violence after school, the community realized that the youths of the town had no real “third spaces” for kids other than the local library. Many children in the community unfortunately fell into societal traps such as gangs, fighting, drug addiction, and criminal behavior because they had nothing to do when schools were closed. My mother understood that an idle mind can be dangerous and that children need structure, so she placed my sister and me into activities throughout the year and during the summer. 

The Boys & Girls Club provided an essential, affordable, and trusted childcare option for my mother, who was raising two children on her own. She often enrolled us in the summer program at The Bates Recreational Center in Annapolis, where I connected with kids from across the county and learned about their towns, cultures, and backgrounds. Each summer offered chances to explore hobbies, develop skills, and grow as a young man, while counselors guided us in making friends and handling conflicts. 

How has your experience as a Club Kid influenced the person you are today—personally and professionally? 

My experiences at the Boys & Girls Club expanded my access to the possibilities of the world. The Club introduced me to the entertainment industry with keynote speeches from actors such as Thomas Mikal Ford (Tommy from Martin). The Club also gave me my first introduction to Lego robotics and STEM. This exposure helped me in high school, where I joined my high school robotics team and Project Lead The Way (engineering program), which helped me land my current job with a general contractor. Every opportunity and experience I had as a youth built up and led me to where I am today. 

What led you to a career in video production and working with The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company? 

The Boys & Girls Clubs combined two of my passions, Legos and STEM, through a session on Lego Robotics. This inspired my goal of having a career as an engineer, so I could create prosthetic exoskeletons for paralyzed veterans to walk again. I took engineering classes in high school for three years, and by the end, I knew I loved engineering but didn’t want to take any more advanced math classes in college. I enrolled at Towson University and pivoted from STEM, choosing to double major in Mass Communication and Electronic Media & Film (EMF) with the goal of a career in media. I set a high goal for myself: to become the CEO of Disney. It sounded crazy, but it made sense to shoot for the moon and see where I land. 

From there, I went on to make films and work as a photographer for events, a videographer for the on-campus gym, and a freelancer in the commercial film and video world. All that experience helped me land a full-time role as a Media Designer when I graduated in May 2020. At the time I was hired, COVID-19 had disrupted many ways we communicate, with large events, in-person meetings, and trainings all going virtual due to social distancing mandates. This created a greater need for corporate video to help win work, communicate messages and policies, and keep everyone on the same page. I saw my new workplace as an opportunity to blend my interest in STEM and engineering with the media production skills I learned in college. I now get to be a guest in the world of engineers and architects while providing value to projects in my own way. 

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and Boys & Girls Clubs both invest in future leaders in different ways. How have those two influences shaped your career path and sense of purpose? 

I have always admired The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company’s commitment to empowering the youth of Baltimore through various partnerships and internships, which expose youth to career opportunities and professional development. It has helped develop my sense of purpose because I know that my job isn’t just making videos for clients. Half of my job is making videos, but the other half is teaching skills and lessons I’ve learned in the field to the next generation. 

What has this project meant to you on a personal level—not just as a media designer, but as someone whose story started in the Club? 

This project means a lot to me as a former Club Kid because I know how essential third spaces are for young people. We all depend on spaces such as parks, athletic facilities, and libraries to develop skills and passions. The new Baltimore Ravens Boys & Girls Club is a safe space dedicated to the growth and advancement of the community. Without spaces like these, it’s easy for disadvantaged youth to go down the wrong path and not fully realize their potential. The Boys & Girls Club puts almost every opportunity in front of kids and allows them to grow from there. 

What advice would you give to young people at the Club today who may not yet see what’s possible for their future? 

Say “yes” to every opportunity, even if you’ve never done it before or are the only person who looks like you in that space. Too often, we can be our own biggest critics. That inner voice can say, “No, you can’t do that. Nobody else who looks like you does that. You’re not smart enough, tall enough.” We internalize stereotypes and negativity that limit what we believe is possible. The best advice I ever received was from my sister, who said, “Who’s going to check you? Nobody.” 

I remember being in AVID class, where we had to present on potential careers from a book of college majors. The one that excited me most was cinematography. But I told myself, “Only rich kids get to go to college and get a film degree—I need to pick something more practical.” So, I chose a more traditional major to present on. A few minutes later, another student presented on cinematography. In that moment, I realized the only difference between me and him was that he didn’t have that voice in his head telling him no—while I did. 

Life has unlimited potential for you to do anything you set your mind to, regardless of the cards you are dealt. With grit, determination, and faith, you can do anything. 

A Note to Jabari—and to Every Club Kid: 

Jabari’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when young people believe in themselves and embrace every opportunity the Club provides. To Jabari, and to every Club kid who dares to dream: you are the heart of the Boys & Girls Clubs mission. Your resilience, your courage to say “yes,” and your willingness to see beyond limits are what make brighter futures possible. When you lean into your passions and potential, you not only change your own life—you inspire everyone around you. 

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