ABOUT TOYA SMITH:

Toya Smith was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She is the second oldest of five siblings. Toya completed both her primary and secondary education in Chicago, and attended PCT Career Institute, where she studied Business and Marketing. 

Toya has been a resident of Indiana since 2004, where she focused on raising her son Pravion, and her surrogate son Corey. Toya’s love for the communications field led her to begin her radio career in 2013 as an engineer, and she later became a producer for “News You Can Use” and “Election Central” on radio 92.7FM – 1370AM WLTH Radio, which is located in Gary, Indiana.

In addition to her work in radio, Toya has worked in various positions in media broadcasting, and has gained experience and expertise in the field.

Her love for the community, serving others, and philanthropy led her to found MADSAP NFP, a non-profit organization which operates in Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana, and is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the community. 

 Her passion for her local community merged with philanthropy, leading her to advocate for breast cancer awareness, and actively supports initiatives and organizations working towards finding a cure and providing support to those affected by the disease. 

Toya’s passion for local government led her to become an employee at the Board of Elections, and now a Councilwoman in Highland, Indiana. Her unwavering dedication to public service, community involvement, and philanthropy is evident in her various roles and contributions to community and society, on all levels.

Ebony Lifestyle Magazine had the good pleasure of connecting with Toya Smith and here is her story.

What life experiences have shaped your worldview and influenced your decision to run for Councilwoman?

My decision to run for Councilwoman was influenced by my experiences with volunteering and the challenges I faced in getting involved. Finally being granted the opportunity to serve my community in 2016 and becoming acclimated to the role further solidified my passion for public service. When the chance to enter a caucus for Councilwoman arose, I seized the opportunity to make a difference in my community.

Being an Indiana native, what changes and developments would you love to see happen in your town? 

To develop the gateway into Highland, Indiana, focus on improving aesthetics with landscaping. Implement wayfinding signs to guide visitors.  Design inviting public spaces. Continue to encourage community involvement. 

How will you work to improve access to quality health care and affordable education in Indiana?

Continue to allocate dollars toward healthcare for our town employees and support our school board (Separate entity) so both bodies can continue to provide services to the community. Most important Collaborate with stakeholders to continue to develop policies tailored to the community’s needs.

What are your goals for the next 3-5 years? What priorities will help you achieve them? 

To increase tax revenue through economic development, some key priorities include:

1. Investing in infrastructure to attract businesses and promote economic growth.

2. Offering incentives and creating a favorable business environment to attract and retain businesses.

3. Promoting collaboration and partnerships to maximize resources and opportunities.

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