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W. Shepherd Smith

W. Shepherd Smith is Co-founder and President of the Washington D.C. based Institute for Youth Development / IYD, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes a consistent, comprehensive risk-avoidance message to youth for five harmful risk-behaviors that are inextricably linked: alcohol, drugs, sex, tobacco, and violence. IYD believes that reaching US children with sound messages at vulnerable ages can spare them personal tragedies and help them enjoy happier and healthier lives. In 2002 IYD received the largest Capital Compassion Fund grant under the President’s faith-based initiative.

He is also Co-founder and Officer of the Washington D.C based Children’s AIDS Fund (formerly American for a Sound AIDS/Policy). He served as its president for a decade, and currently is a member of its board of directors. Under his leadership, the organization’s programs and activities were built on five basic tenets: the value of early diagnosis; promotion of traditional public health interventions to halt the epidemic’s spread; compassionate care for all infected and affected by HIV; development of effective medical tools to limit suffering; and addressing access to health care related to AIDS/HIV.

Among Mr. Smith’s professional appointments and affiliations are:

  • Member of the National Consensus Process on Human Sexuality, Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual behavior, 2004 to present.
  • Member of The National Advisory Council on Sexual Health, National Center for Primary Care, Morehouse School of Medicine, 2003 to present.
  • Advisory Committee to the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003 to present.
  • Trustee Member, Project SOS (Strengthening our Students), Inc, 2003 to present.
  • Member, Family Health International Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the USAID funded Implementing AIDS Prevention and Care (IMPACT) Program.
  • Delegation Leader, US Delegation of Youth Leaders to International Youth Exchange Program hosted by the Japanese Government, 2003.
  • National Academy of Sciences Committee on Adolescent Health and Development, 2002 to present.