Jason Smith

Jason Smith is the Director of Equity and Engagement in the Office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. Jason manages a team of dedicated public servants who work to connect residents to their county government in new and meaningful ways. His team worked with the Miami Foundation to successfully steer the Mayor’s Thrive305 initiative — the largest community engagement effort in Miami-Dade County government history. Other major projects of his office include reforming and improving Miami-Dade County’s procurement system to provide more opportunity for local and small businesses; and creating a support ecosystem for small businesses through the Strive305 initiative. Since his appointment, the County has initiated a procurement disparity study which will help inform the County’s efforts to build an equitable procurement program.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Howard University; an MBA from Florida International University; and a law degree from the Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University where he graduated magna cum laude.

Jason is a public policy professional with nearly two decades of economic development and community engagement experience. He most recently served as legislative director for then-Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava where he managed the commissioner’s economic development and affordable housing portfolio.

He has held various roles in county government including Senior Legislative Analyst in the Office of the Commission Auditor, aide to Commission Chairwoman Barbara Carey-Shuler and Commissioner Jean Monestime.

Jason began his work in the community as a journalist for the historic Miami Times where he reported on such issues as the displacement of public housing tenants during the HOPE VI project, statewide elections, and the case of missing foster child Rilya Wilson. He has written for the Boston Globe, the Des Moines Register (Iowa), and the South Florida Sun- Sentinel.

Jason is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Iota Pi Lambda Chapter. He is the proud father of 12-year-old Jason Smith, II.