MEET MRS.
KAWANA MAYES-SMITH
Kawana Mayes Smith is an esteemed educator in the Dallas Independent School District, known for her strong connection to the district’s athletic program. A retired athlete herself, Kawana has continuously pursued professional opportunities that align with her passion for sports and youth empowerment.
She has built a strong track record of collaborating with academic leaders and community partners who share her vision of uplifting and inspiring the next generation. Together, they’ve successfully executed school-wide events and developed philanthropic strategies that foster long-term community engagement. Kawana’s leadership extends across various sectors of the nonprofit space, and
her growing portfolio reflects her deep commitment, dynamic experience, and strong work ethic.
She is a trusted advisor to nonprofit organizations, often volunteering her time to support operations, event planning, and fundraising efforts. Her contributions have led to the creation of educational and recreational programs that have positively impacted countless lives.
Throughout her journey, Kawana has held impactful roles that shaped her brand-building approach. She served as Event and Volunteer Coordinator for Michael Crabtree’s Crab 5 Foundation, worked in partnership with the WNBA Dallas Wings, and led the Nike Game Growers youth program at John Lewis Social Justice Academy at Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School. She also
supported legendary activist Dr. Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” as a Media Relations Coordinator.
Kawana is the visionary behind R.E.S.E.T® - a program designed for high school girls with aspirations to enter the sports industry. The initiative aims to build leadership, break down gender stereotypes, and create career opportunities for young women beyond the field of play.
In addition to her work in education and advocacy, Kawana is the founder of Venture Next, LLC, an innovative philanthropy boutique. Venture Next collaborates with nonprofits, schools, professional sports teams, and athlete foundations to design transformative initiatives that use the power of sports to fuel social change, drive educational growth, and empower communities.
Kawana holds a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Houston - Downtown, a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas, and an Executive Certificate in Sports Philanthropy from George Washington University. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Excellence in Services
Kawana Mayes-Smith has strategized and devised plans for school-wide events. Throughout the years, she has played a pivotal role in developing effective philanthropic strategies and fostering community engagement.
CONTACT KAWANA
ARE YOU READY? LET'S WORK!
Get in touch with Kawana and her team today for event bookings, appearances, or for more information about her projects and programs.