Emerging Leaders Class of 2024

Mrs. Sabriyah Lailla Smith is the proud daughter of Karima Amin and the late Abdul Jalil Amin. She is a distinguished graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health and human services with a focus in Social Gerontology and master’s degree in social work with a concentration in Children and Youth. She also holds a minor in sociology. Mrs. Smith also received a certificate in Massage Therapy from the New York Institute of Massage in Williamsville, NY. She is currently a student at Niagara University pursuing her second master’s degree in early childhood education/special education. Mrs. Smith is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Kappa Upsilon Zeta Chapter.

Mrs. Smith is the Founder of the Facebook group WNY Community Bulletin Board which seeks to promote African American businesses, news, and events throughout WNY. The group has grown to over 35,000 people. This group is dedicated to ensuring that African American people, throughout WNY, have a place to network, build, and grow.

Mrs. Smith is also the Founder of Purpose & Praise Ministries. As a Prayer & Encouragement Leader, she holds sessions to improve self-esteem, a healthy lifestyle, and a deeper relationship with God. Purpose & Praise Ministries have hosted various activities including walking challenges, water drinking challenges, quarterly sessions to promote mindfulness and self-care, and promotes monthly bible reading. As a Certified Professional Life and Mindfulness Coach, her goal is to help people reach their full potential.

Her community involvement includes volunteering with the Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo, Serving as Vice Chair of the Board for Our Curls Incorporated, Compeer of Greater Buffalo, Jack and Jill of America, Past Recording Secretary with the Buffalo Association of Black Social Workers, Chairperson of the Buffalo Kwanzaa Committee, and a member of the Race and Reconciliation Conference Committee for the City of Buffalo. She has served as an Associate Board Member and Talent Coach for the Young Miss Buffalo Pageant Scholarship and Enrichment Program and has served on the Public Relations Committee for the Juneteenth of Buffalo Festival. She currently serves on the MAAFA Committee for the Juneteenth of Buffalo Festival. She is a past Board Member of the Families Child Advocacy Network (Families CAN) and has served as an AmeriCorps Vista Volunteer through the Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc. She served on the Advisory Board for the UB CSTEP Program. Mrs. Smith currently serves as a Sharing Hope Program Leader through the National Alliance on Mental Illness Buffalo & Erie County Chapter. Sharing Hope is designed to provide an  opportunity for African Americans to discuss mental illness in their community and to provide access to needed resources. In June of 2024 Mrs. Smith received the Daniel Acker Community Service Award from the Buffalo Chapter of the NAACP.