
Education
Bachelor of Arts: Politics
University of San Francisco
About Kad
[Pronouns: he/ him / his, they/ them/ theirs]
Kad Smith is part of CompassPoint's teacher team. He's a lead designer and co-facilitator of CompassPoint's B.L.A.C.K Team Intensive and trains frequently in our public workshops.
In his former role as a project director at CompassPoint, Kad specialized in program design and facilitation of CompassPoint’s cohort leadership programs.
A native of Berkeley, Kad is a self-described “bay-destrian.” His family hails from Texas and across the southern United States. Kad is passionate about racial justice, prison reform, civic engagement, and the liberation of all marginalized people across the globe.
Kad has worked with the Ecology Center of Berkeley for six years, focusing on community engagement and environmental justice advocacy. Through his work with the Ecology Center, Kad was a precinct captain on Berkeley's Measure D Campaign in 2014, which resulted in the historic passing of the first soda tax in US history.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Berkeley's Ecology Center and has previously worked on the board of the Berkeley Community Fund (now called the Berkeley Community Scholars). Having grown up in Berkeley, Kad has tried to live into his values around civic duty by showing up in roles as a City Commisioner on Berkeley's Communtiy Health Commision and Police Review Commision.
In his spare time, Kad is an avid reader and writer. He also enjoys outdoor adventures, playing basketball and NBA2k (as he says, "come get this work!!!"), and watching the Golden State Warriors demolish any and all competition.
Leadership Programs
- Next Generation Leaders of Color
- Strong Field Project Leadership Development Program
- Arc Toward Justice Leadership and Solidarity Program
- Fundraising Academy for Communities of Color
Favorite Resources
- Soledad Brother by George Jackson
- Nolo – Law for All
- The Management Center Tools - Resource Library
Read Kad
Blogs
- "Exploring Influence Without Authority”
- "Race Caucusing in an Organizational Context: A POC's Experience"
- "Toward a Transformative Juvenile Justice System”
Recent Speaking Engagements
-
City of Berkeley – Mayor’s Annual Youth Award Ceremony – Keynote Speaker. May 2013