The Story of Kenny Smith

On this episode of Tell Me Your Story, host Chris Baker Jr. sits down with a man whose life proves that where you start does not determine where you finish.

Growing up in South Akron, Ohio, Kenny “Jo-Jo” Smith learned early that the court was more than a place to play basketball — it was a classroom for life. Surrounded by the rhythm of bouncing balls, squeaking sneakers, and a neighborhood built on mentorship and community, Kenny watched his father lead by example — not just as a player, but as a man who poured back into the people around him.

That example lit a fire that never went out.

Today, Kenny “Jo-Jo” Smith has transformed that same passion into a powerful mission. He’s an author, speaker, behavioral expert, educator, and mentor dedicated to helping people unlock the strength they didn’t know they had. Whether he’s shaping young minds in the classroom, coaching youth in his community, or challenging readers through his writing, Kenny has one goal:

Help people turn their struggles into purpose.

This conversation dives deep into:

🏀 Growing up in South Akron
📚 The power of mentorship and community
💡 Turning life lessons into leadership
🔥 Finding purpose beyond the game
❤️ And why listening might be the most powerful skill we have

Kenny’s journey reminds us of something we all need to hear:

Your circumstances may shape you, but they don’t get to define you.

Lean in and listen to a story about resilience, purpose, and the power of lifting others as you rise.

Because here on Tell Me Your Story, we believe the most powerful voices in the world are often the ones you haven't heard yet.