Meet Jerrold Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerrold Smith.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jerrold. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Ladera Heights, CA; a middle-class neighborhood between the outskirts of Inglewood, Baldwin Hills, and Culver City. A lot of people like to say it’s really rare to meet someone in LA that’s actually from LA. I like to tell them they’ve been looking in the wrong places. On the surface, I can be deemed an athlete, creator, tastemaker, and micro-influencer, but I’d never limit myself to one defining label. Hard work has always been in my nature, which is why I’m always looking for new challenges to conquer, and different ways to create success for myself. That being said, without hard work, I wouldn’t be remotely close to where I am today, and because of it, I know I’m still nowhere close to where I’m supposed to be.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but no road worth traveling will ever be smooth. Some of my struggles, to name a few, would have to be the initial process of walking-on to the UCLA basketball team while I was in college, and breaking into a career in entertainment afterward. Both of those being two of the toughest industries to make it into and endure, Division-1 college athletics and Hollywood. Both of these experiences, however, have groomed me to know that there is no challenge too big or too small that cannot be overcome.

Alright – Tell us about your work – what should we know?
I’m an ex-collegiate athlete, most known for my journey through the UCLA basketball program. Without going into much detail, I began my collegiate athletics career as a practice player with the UCLA women’s basketball team and by the time I graduated in 2017 I was a full-scholarship walk-on player for the UCLA Men’s basketball team. More about that can be found in a Sports Illustrated article I was lucky enough to be featured in, describing all I went through to get that point [bit.ly/sportsillusjsmith]. Since then, I’d say I specialize in communicating with people. After college, I began a career in entertainment, working for the largest talent agency in the nation. What I’m most proud of would be my ability to genuinely connect with people from all walks of life, whether that be creators, athletes, businessmen, and women, or your average individual, as I think this world we live in is nothing without the people we surround ourselves with so I pride myself on being able to be of service to everyone. What I’d say sets me apart from others is that there isn’t one thing I attribute all of my energy and focus to. When I was in college the one thing I made my priority, aside from school, was basketball. I put my all into making the best of what was given to me and turning it into all that I made it. Since then, I make sure to entertain any and all opportunities I come across; whether that’s still being involved in basketball–playing in the drew league or with other UCLA basketball alums in pro tournaments like the TBT tournament; being involved in fashion– constantly evolving and developing my own style and brand, or working with LA-based streetwear brands like Hypland Worldwide to add to the influence fashion and style have on our culture; building my social presence– taking on new and refreshing brand campaigns like being apart of Adidas Fall/Winter 2018 basketball collection, or helping promote products like Smirnoff’s summer seltzer; or my involvement in everything the entertainment industry has to offer through my day job. I guess it’s safe to say I’m most proud of my ability not to set boundaries for myself, and to be as involved as I’d like in anything I’d like.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’d say a lot of the credit goes to my parents. As with most people, their home growing up is where they first develop a lot of the characteristics and traits that help them throughout life, and I wouldn’t be anywhere without the guidance of my parents or my entire family for that matter. I’m sure we’re all familiar with the thought that “it takes a village to raise a child,” and fortunately I come from a great village. Aside from them, I like to think that there’s something that you can learn from everyone. I think the best way to learn is through experience, whether that be my own or someone else’s, so whether it’s a direct or indirect effect on me, I’m always attentive to how I can better myself and be of help to anyone around me in the process. I’m also a big believer in surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals, so anyone around me is likely someone I can learn a lot from.

Contact Info:

• Website: jerroldsmithii.com
• Instagram: @jerroldhtims
• Twitter: @jerroldhtims
• Other: bit.ly/sportsillusjsmith

Image Credit:
Kevin Yang, Shaun Mendiola, UCLA

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