Ciara Smith, born in February of 1999 to Ralph Nettles and Christina Smith, would later become an Anniston High School Alumna, Class of 2017, and Spelman College Grad Class of 2020. She is set to complete her Master of Public Administration at Jacksonville State University in the fall term of 2023.

At the age of 16, Ciara began her first job at the City of Anniston Financial Department where she would be exposed to the inner workings of the local government. During her freshman year of college, she helped campaign under the former Mayor in the City of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms. In addition, she studied abroad in Chile, South America, completing course work in the Chilean culture and Spanish language. In 2018, she was inducted into Forbes 30 under 30 as a fellow and traveled to Boston, Massachusetts to join top entrepreneurs, celebrities, and visionaries for relevant industry conversations, programming, and networking opportunities. At the age of 19, Ciara interned with the United States House of Representatives under Congressman Hank Johnson who represents the 4th district of Georgia. Ciara later spent her summer as an Apprentice for JP Morgan & Chase where she participated in the inaugural six-week, full-time Advancing Black Pathways Apprentice Program focused on exposing students to hands-on experience, project-based curriculum and professional readiness. She was then nominated by Congressman Hank Johnson to join the Congressional Black Caucus Institute training bootcamp in Washington D.C. in the summer of 2019. She was among some of the greatest political influencers of our nation. This inspired her to create change in her hometown, the City of Anniston.

In November 2020, Ciara Smith was deemed the youngest ever elected official in the City of Anniston, not just as Councilmember of the 3rd ward, but as Vice Mayor at 21 years of age. Her mission is determined by one goal – impact over everything.