Actor and filmmaker Damien D. Smith is a lifelong storyteller. With more than 15 years of experience in theatre, television, and film, Smith is driven by both a responsibility to shed light on injustice and oppression and a deep-rooted passion for community, faith, and social activism. This empathy was sparked and fostered by his grandmother, who raised him in St. Louis, Missouri. Because of her influence, a message of acceptance and love to humanity is central to his work.

Damien uses art as a tool to address sexism, racism, and bigotry and to shed light on the issues that affect communities that are historically underserved and undervalued. He explores themes such as mental illness, sexual abuse, and environmental racism in his work with the goal of engaging audiences in meaningful discussions on the subject matter.

In addition to pursuing these themes in his work in theatre, film, and television, Damien lives these values through volunteer work and activism with a host of nonprofits across the country. His work in the community focuses on exposing young people and people of color to the arts, including work with Boys and Men of Color, teaching Film and Social Activism at California You Think.

Smith’s stage and television credits include the NAACP Theater Award-winning production of “12x9,” and most recently the television series “Snowfall” on Fx Networks and “The Purge”on USA networks. His directorial debut short narrative film entitled ABOUT THAT..., a powerful look at love through the eyes of a mentally disturbed young man won the Arts with Impact film Award.

Smith’s last short film Daddy’s Big Girl won the Gentleman Jack Daniel’s Reel to Real Filmmaker of the Year Awards.