My Story
Dr. Ariel D. Smith is an entrepreneur, educator, and interdisciplinary scholar whose teaching, research, and service sit at the intersection of entrepreneurship, culture, and community. With over a decade of experience, she is deeply committed to service learning and experiential education, helping students bridge theory and practice through community engagement.
Dr. Smith is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship at Wake Forest University and holds an affiliate faculty appointment at the Center for Arts, Migration, + Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida. As a consultant, she collaborates with municipalities, nonprofits, small businesses, tech companies, and higher education institutions to foster inclusive economic development.
As an entrepreneur, Dr. Smith has founded and co-founded startups in information media, tech, and consulting, leveraging her expertise to drive innovation and community impact. She is also the founder of The Food Truck Scholar and author of Before You Launch a Food Truck. Her work, particularly in exploring the experiences and representation of African Americans in the food truck industry, has been recognized by the Museum of Food and Drink, Whetstone Magazine, the Coalition for Food and Health Equity, and other national and international platforms.
In recognition of her contributions to research and entrepreneurship education, Dr. Smith was named the 2025 Emerging Scholar by the Minority and Women in Entrepreneurship Special Interest Group of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE).
An interdisciplinary scholar, Dr. Smith holds a PhD in American Studies with a concentration in African American Studies from Purdue University, a Master of Education in Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Human Resource concentration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Collat School of Business, where she graduated with distinction in Global and Community Leadership.
My Mission
My mission is quite simple: leave people, places, and spaces better than how I found them. I have used this mission as a through-line for everything I have done for over a decade: community-oriented startups, service learning and experiential learning college courses, individual consulting, corporate consulting, and more.
My Vision
I envision a world where every interaction, initiative, and innovation fosters positive transformation—leaving people, places, and spaces better than they were before. Through community-driven startups, experiential learning, and consulting, I strive to create sustainable impact, empower individuals, and cultivate environments where growth and collaboration thrive. My work is dedicated to bridging gaps, inspiring change, and shaping a future where service and strategy align to drive meaningful progress.
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