We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Betty Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Betty with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
For 40 years my mother worked as a domestic (cleaning houses and taking care of the family’s children). She always taught me and my 6 sibilings the importance of being on time and putting in a good, hard day’s work.
Many times, when I was between the age of 11 and 14, my mother took me to work with her. I remember scrubbing floors on my hands and knees. If I missed one small spot, she would tell me I had to do it over and not miss a spot. She always said any job worth doing is worth doing well. If it is not done right the first time, I would have to repeat it until it was correct.
She always took me and my siblings to church and, again, this was a timely thing. Getting seven children ready and being on time for church was a must.
When I was older and moved to Chicago, my Pastor was another person who was very time conscious. He always told his assistant that if service is to begin at 8 pm, even if no one is there, start the.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In 2012 I called three music friends of mine together to discuss a free music program for underserved urban youth ages 5 – 18. I was 72 and told them I would teach them how to set up the non-profit and how to manage it. I would then let them be in charge. One year later one of the youths moved to Tennessee another returned to college and the third began playing in a band. This left me. In my spirit I felt that God was telling me that this is the way he planned it.
We named it EN-RICH-MENT – ENjoying the RICHness of Music Education Nurturing and Training.
I have been the Executive Director since opening in 2012.
Many challenges but more blessings to children and families have come as a result of opening EN-RICH-MENT.
In June 2024, we moved into a new 16,000 sq ft facility with rooms for our classes that include art, dance, practice rooms, musical instruments such as woodwind, brass, percussion, a commercial kitchen that allows us to prepare a full dinner for youth who attend our afterschool classes as well as prepare meals for special events.
Our new facility was made possible by Mr. Ted Swaldo, Creator of Gervasi Vineyard. He raised the $2.1 million and was the general contractor. Many foundations, contractors, the city, state, and others donated.
In June 2023, EN-RICH-MENT entered into an Affiliation Agreement with Bluecoats (a world-renowned drum and bugle corps who last year came in first place at the Drum Corp International Competition in Indianapolis, IN). This Affiliation gives EN-RICH-MENT stability.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Believing in my mission; believing in myself and my strong faith in God.
Never let anyone talk you out of something you feel deeply about. You know yourself better than anyone else.
Know that you must put in a lot of long hours and hard work to become established. However, do not over do it. Take time for yourself – do not burn out.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Funding is always a challenge for a small non-profit. It is important to have a good team that you can meet and brainstorm with to come up with out of the box ideas. There are numerous non profits with the same challenge and applying to the same foundations and other grantees for dollars.
A strong committe is a must. A committee that is dedicated and will give either time, talent or treasure to make things happen.
Remember you can’t do this by yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.en-rich-ment.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/en.rich.ment.1
Image Credits
Betty Smith
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
