Christian Wise Smith is no stranger to the justice system.
Christian Wise Smith is no stranger to the justice system.
Christian Wise Smith is an attorney, non-profit founder, community organizer, author, husband, father, and a prosecutor with heart, running to change the face of justice in Fulton County, Georgia.
Christian Wise Smith is an attorney, non-profit founder, community organizer, author, husband, father, and a prosecutor with heart, running to change the face of justice in Fulton County, Georgia.
Born and raised in the justice system, Christian’s story is not unlike the stories of many young Black men in America. He saw his mother arrested several times before she ultimately lost custody of him when he was sixteen. He was kicked out of school at seventeen. He missed meals, slept on floors, and sometimes even had to sleep in cars. He began selling stolen clothes out of the trunk of his car and considered dealing drugs to get by.
At seven years old, Christian witnessed his grandmother strip-searched by the police in a department store, where she made a fateful prediction to Christian while she was led away in handcuffs:
Born and raised in the justice system, Christian’s story is not unlike the stories of many young Black men in America. He saw his mother arrested several times before she ultimately lost custody of him when he was sixteen. He was kicked out of school at seventeen. He missed meals, slept on floors, and sometimes even had to sleep in cars. He began selling stolen clothes out of the trunk of his car and considered dealing drugs to get by.
At seven years old, Christian witnessed his grandmother strip-searched by the police in a department store, where she made a fateful prediction to Christian while she was led away in handcuffs:
“One day, you’ll be different.”
“One day, you’ll be different.”
Christian got a rare second chance. With the support of mentors, financial aid, and a community that believed in him, Christian has been able to achieve the American promise. As the first member of his family to graduate from college, he went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration, then graduated from law school before becoming the Chief of Staff of Atlanta City Council District 5, then a prosecutor in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
Once in the job, Christian–with his own life experience and empathy–quickly realized the system was based on a profoundly flawed approach that favored conviction rates over true justice. He began creating diversion programs for minor, non-violent offenses, realizing that justice would be better served by giving these young people a second chance to get their lives on a more positive track instead of saddling them with a criminal record that could doom them to a life of crime.
Watching some of these young people turn their lives around became the most rewarding aspect of his job as a prosecutor and earned him a reputation for being a prosecutor with heart.
Christian got a rare second chance. With the support of mentors, financial aid, and a community that believed in him, Christian has been able to achieve the American promise. As the first member of his family to graduate from college, he went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration, then graduated from law school before becoming the Chief of Staff of Atlanta City Council District 5, then a prosecutor in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
Once in the job, Christian–with his own life experience and empathy–quickly realized the system was based on a profoundly flawed approach that favored conviction rates over true justice. He began creating diversion programs for minor, non-violent offenses, realizing that justice would be better served by giving these young people a second chance to get their lives on a more positive track instead of saddling them with a criminal record that could doom them to a life of crime.
Watching some of these young people turn their lives around became the most rewarding aspect of his job as a prosecutor and earned him a reputation for being a prosecutor with heart.
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In 2020, Christian launched a campaign for Fulton County District Attorney. His campaign was built on the promise that the justice system should serve Fulton County’s most vulnerable communities.
Christian ran a strong race despite having the least financial resources, and his bold stances changed the narrative of the race, moving his competitors to commit to opposing the death penalty and supporting diversion programs for non-violent offenders. Most notably, his message turned out more first-time, young, and lapsed voters in the city than any other candidate, launching a movement that outlasted the election.
He subsequently founded the National Social Justice Alliance, creating programs to unite prosecuting attorneys nationally to end police brutality and increase voter education.
He also wrote a children’s book to educate the next generation of voters about their power at the ballot box. This work makes the issue of voting rights deeply personal, and he feels a profound commitment to continuing the fight that generations of civil rights leaders have waged. He remains a practicing attorney in the state of Georgia.
Now, he’s looking to return to the District Attorney’s office to get things back on track and protect the families of Fulton County. Christian is supported by his Wife, Keyonda, and his four amazing children.
In 2020, Christian launched a campaign for Fulton County District Attorney. His campaign was built on the promise that the justice system should serve Fulton County’s most vulnerable communities.
Christian ran a strong race despite having the least financial resources, and his bold stances changed the narrative of the race, moving his competitors to commit to opposing the death penalty and supporting diversion programs for non-violent offenders. Most notably, his message turned out more first-time, young, and lapsed voters in the city than any other candidate, launching a movement that outlasted the election.
He subsequently founded the National Social Justice Alliance, creating programs to unite prosecuting attorneys nationally to end police brutality and increase voter education.
He also wrote a children’s book to educate the next generation of voters about their power at the ballot box. This work makes the issue of voting rights deeply personal, and he feels a profound commitment to continuing the fight that generations of civil rights leaders have waged. He remains a practicing attorney in the state of Georgia.
Now, he’s looking to return to the District Attorney’s office to get things back on track and protect the families of Fulton County. Christian is supported by his Wife, Keyonda, and his four amazing children.
