Smith Boyd encourages participants to create their own narrative on their journey to homeownership
ATLANTA, June 2, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Michel Smith Boyd, interior designer and star of HGTV hit shows, "Luxe for Less" and "Rock The Block 4," inspired Atlanta Habitat homeowners as part of the organization's Boss Talk leadership speaker series in May. Themed "The Stories We Tell," the annual event empowers small business owners as they continue their entrepreneurial journeys.
Smith Boyd, who serves as an Atlanta Habitat mission ambassador, was one of four panelists including:
- Michel Smith Boyd, Interior designer and star of HGTV hit shows, "Luxe for Less" and "Rock The Block 4"
- Tanisha Wright, Head Coach, Atlanta Dream
- Lakila Bowden, Co-founder and COO, iSeeTechnologies
- Natina Hill, Director, Producer and Entrepreneur
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my journey with these potential homeowners," said Smith Boyd. "There wasn't a roadmap for my entrepreneurial journey, but I made it and they can, too. No matter the circumstances of your life, I encourage people to create their own narrative."
Journey to Design
Design wasn't Smith Boyd's first career. After dabbling in retail, acting and modeling, he enrolled in The Art Institute of Atlanta in his late 20s. He took on his first client while still in school and decided early on he wanted to prioritize sharing his own point of view and telling his own story through design.
"I didn't choose entrepreneurship — I chose my own point of view," said Smith Boyd. "If you don't own your narrative, someone will do it for you."
A Common Thread
Raised in a small town in Louisiana, Smith Boyd grew up next door to a family member who lived in a Habitat home.
"At the time, I didn't understand the gift of home ownership," said Smith Boyd. "Now, I work with people every day who are proud of the hard work they put in to own their homes. I help them bring dignity, excitement and pride to their homes and help them understand what luxury can mean for them."
Today, Smith Boyd is recognized as one of the Top 10 African American Designers in the country and he was named one of "Atlanta's Top 50 Most Powerful People." His Atlanta-based firm, Smith Boyd Interiors, is known for his signature, sumptuous style. He prides himself on creating spaces unique to each client's personality (and budget).
"Partnering with Michel gets at the heart of our mission to change the trajectory for generations of families through home ownership," said Alan Ferguson, CEO of Atlanta Habitat. "His work also supports our commitment to going beyond building homes to empower families and strengthen communities. We're excited about the ways he will help amplify lasting relationships with our Habitat families."
This year, Atlanta Habitat celebrates its 40-year history of transforming lives through home ownership. Since 1980, the organization has helped more than 2,400 families buy or repair their homes, and has made a $40 million impact in neighborhoods in Atlanta and South Fulton County in the past five years.
About Atlanta Habitat
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity transforms communities through neighborhood revitalization, education, innovative development, and partnerships. As one of Habitat for Humanity International's largest affiliates, Atlanta Habitat has made an estimated $40 million impact on affordable housing in neighborhoods across Atlanta and South Fulton County over the last five years. Since its launch in 1983, the nonprofit affordable home developer has served over 2,400 families (more than 6,000 individuals) with its first-time home purchase, rehab and critical home repair services and education programs. Visit http://www.atlantahabitat.org.
Media Contact
Charity Johnson, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, 6786377721, [email protected]
SOURCE Atlanta Habitat for Humanity
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