Curtis L.
Smith IV

Justice Is Not Political, It's Biblical

Pastor Curtis LaMont Smith, a Stockton native, is the Senior Pastor and founder of Destiny Christian Center in Northern Stockton. Curtis is a respected faith leader, community organizer, social activist, youth mentor, and motivational speaker throughout the San Joaquin County and broader Central Valley. Born to teenage parents, as a young man Curtis overcame countless obstacles and has been blessed to defy the odds to obtain a higher education and realize his dreams.

Mr. Smith is dedicated to empowering youth – particularly those raised in overlooked, low-income communities vulnerable to crime and mass incarceration – and encouraging young adults to know that they are not a mistake and their lives have purpose.

Curtis has dedicated the last 20 years to fighting for justice, bringing forth jewels in the community to exercise their power, and building bridges between institutions of faith and members of the community. Curtis holds a Master's Degree in Christian Organizational Leadership, a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies and he recently completed a Nonprofit Management Program at the University of the Pacific. His thesis was “Power of Partnerships of Faith Based organizations with Local Governing Agencies to bring solutions to Violence and Poverty through Church & Community Unification in the Urban Cities.” He is currently the San Joaquin County Director of Faith in the Valley.

Mr. Smith is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and is the former President of the African American Student Union at University of the Pacific. As an alumni of SUM Bible College, he is dedicated to the training of indigenous leaders in the Urban City. After leaving a career with Department of Treasury, Curtis went into full time ministry in 2001. It was within that same year that he was introduced to community organizing.

Pastor Curtis is a loving husband and proud father. He has been married going on 18 years to the lovely Prof. Kristen L. Smith, and the two have a son, Curtis Joshua Smith V.

Curtis L. Smith IV

* FAITH LEADER * NONPROFIT DIRECTOR* COMMUNITY ORGANIZER * MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER *

Phone:

209.639.8025

Email:

Pastorcurtissmith@gmail.com

Address:

Stockton, California

EXPERIENCE

ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL & RACIAL JUSTICE

Curtis Smith is a pastor, a teacher, a counselor, a motivational speaker, an educator, an advocate, and a trailblazer. He has a proven track record navigating complex political environments and legislative processes to aid in the decriminalization of Black and Brown people and to improve the lives of various minority groups. Curtis has helped establish numerous successful campaigns and programs to create more opportunities for the formerly incarcerated, including the popular community trust-building and gun violence reduction initiative, Cease Fire.

FAITH LEADER & MISSION-ORIENTED SENIOR PASTOR

Pastor Curtis is a respected leader in the Central Valley with more than three decades of experience managing diverse, multiracial teams for prestigious, faith-based organizations, while achieving complex results-oriented objectives. He is accustomed to establishing processes and identifying resources that do not already exist. By building a seamless infrastructure and workflow within organizations and with nonprofit allies, Curtis understands that organizations are then better equipped to make lasting change in their respective communities for years to come.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZER & NONPROFIT DIRECTOR

Mr. Smith oversees, manages, and establishes programs throughout the San Joaquin Valley and Central Valley to advocate for the decriminalization of black and brown individuals, to reduce gun violence/mass incarceration from within vulnerable communities, and to create more opportunities for the formerly incarcerated. He is comfortable navigating complex projects, budget oversight and grant management to ensure financial health and stability across various organizations. Curtis also understands the importance of being transparent with key stakeholders, allies, and board members through timely reporting and real-time communication.

TESTIMONIALS

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Victor & Catherine Yee, Owners of LYC Electronics Inc.

"We have known Curtis for over 10 years and have watched him grow as a compassionate, thoughtful leader who always tries to lead by example. He is a good listener and he continually works with the “big picture” in mind. He genuinely cares about his community and society and wants to be a positive influence on both. Curtis is a man of conviction who seeks to honor and love God in all he does. It isn’t just what he does; it is who he is. Our community is very fortunate to have him working on our behalf.

Bobby Bivens, NAACP Stockton Branch President

"Pastor Smith has been a great asset to our community. Civil rights work is not a moment, it’s a movement ... This is why we uplift leaders like Pastor Smith who have been engaged in the good work for a long time.

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Pastor Trena L. Turner,
Executive Director of
Faith in the Valley

"Pastor Curtis is an incredible leader that has the ability to skillfully utilize fact and experience from the past to inform and frame current thinking. A patient and active listener, Pastor Curtis is skillful in helping others grow and show up as their best selves.

Because Pastor Curtis is a continuous learner, my organization has benefited greatly from the tips, tools, and pearls of wisdom he drops along the way.

Chief Eric Jones, Stockton Police Dpt.

"I have worked with Pastor Curtis Smith for 10 years with efforts to make our community a safer place, and in increasing the trust between the community and our police department. With gun violence prevention efforts, Pastor Curtis Smith and I, together, have co-chaired Ceasefire Call-Ins meeting with at risk individuals. His communication, relationship-building, and leadership have been a large part of the steady decline in homicides since 2012.

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Dr. Tecoy Porter, NAN President & CA Senate Candidate

"I have known Rev. Curtis Lamont Smith for over 30 years, and he has consistently proven to be an exemplary leader in all he does. I have witnessed him leading at many levels, from a college student campus leader to church ministry executive and regional community organizer. Rev. Smith always brings excellence, compassion, and integrity at every level. Rev. Smith is a change agent and a difference-maker whom I am proud to call a friend and confidant.