We had the good fortune of connecting with Dexia Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dexia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After successful advocacy of sexual assault awareness during my undergraduate journey at UNT that garnered national attention, which led to the establishment of a ‘Survivor Advocate’ program on campus, I wanted to continue my efforts after graduation to further push awareness of sexual assault. Enter the establishment of my organization, Advocates of Sexual Assault Awareness (A.O.S.A DFW), which is a group ran by survivors for survivors that strives to bring sexual assault awareness to the community through an expanded array of content with passion and commitment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The journey has certainly not been easy, but it sure has been fundamental to my growth.

My passion for marketing and media grew as an undergraduate student journalist at UNT where I covered North Texas athletics for the university’s official athletics website, MeanGreenSports.com. Immediately after graduation in Spring 2015, I bested all Texas applicants and was the only woman to land a summer internship in the sports department at CBS News in New York covering numerous sporting events such as the 2015 NBA Draft.

Upon returning back to Texas at the completion of my internship as a San Antonio native, my ascension in the DFW Metroplex began with a four-year stint at Audacy, formerly known as CBS Radio, in Dallas, holding various management roles. While simultaneously continuing to grow A.O.S.A DFW in 2019, I wanted to learn more about business, which ironically, UNT’s G. Brint Ryan College of Business had just announced the launch of a new MBA Sport Entertainment Management program. I applied and was accepted into the first-cohort of the program in Fall 2019. Always doing one more, I also was accepted into the first cohorts of the NBA Future Sales Stars program as well as the Legends Global Sales Training Camp. Then, COVID-19 hit. The pandemic, like most, brought upon several unforeseen challenges that I honestly was not prepared for. However, with God’s grace, I was able to come out of the pandemic even stronger. I became the season-long intern for the Dallas Cowboys in the Corporate Partnerships department and worked my way to become a full-time employee within the same department of the organization. Due to all of my efforts, I was recognized by UNT’s College of Business as a 2x ‘Outstanding Student’ for the college’s annual donor dinner.

I graduated with my MBA in Sport Entertainment Management Spring 2022 and now nearing my first-year anniversary with the Cowboys while continuing to pour into my passion for the community with A.O.S.A DFW.

The moral of my story that I hope reader’s resonate with is along the lines of never giving up on yourself. A few doors may close, but if you keep knocking, the right one will open and provide endless opportunities for growth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Though I can’t sing, I am a Karaoke Queen! I also like venues that provide multiple experiences, so I’d likely take them to Main Event after brunch at Gloria’s Latin Cuisine. We also could have the option to bring the fun to my place with a game-night! UNO is a must 🙂

The metroplex almost always has great artists that come perform, so we also could catch a concert, or, attend an open mic night as I, too, write and recite poetry.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I will *always* take the opportunity to first give a shoutout to God for blessing me with the strength to continue on in life and reach other survivors to help them along their journey. A huge shoutout to my biggest supporters, mentors, personal counselors and more, which is graciously and unconditionally held by my parents, I love y’all! Lastly but certainly not least, a major shoutout to my A.O.S.A DFW teammates, family and friends who have willingly supported A.O.S.A DFW before we were officially established, and for that, I am forever grateful!

Website: https://www.aosadfw.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aosa_dfw/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dexiasmith/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AOSADFW

Image Credits
Kelly Alexander (headshot photo) All other photos were taken from my phone.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.