Meet Shaquana Smith | Austin Moms 2024 Contributor

Shaquana Jordan Smith was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In spring of 2011, Shaquana graduated from Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. At this historical Black college, she was an ambassador for the school and was involved with several organizations such as the Student Union Board and Future Business Leaders of America. She worked in several positions on campus and maintained her grades so that she could graduate from college debt free without having to apply for any student loans.

Shaquana loves to spend her free time serving and volunteering wherever help is needed. Shaquana strongly believes in the scripture Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

In May of 2016, God spoke to Shaquana in a dream and told her to relocate to Austin, Texas. Three months later Shaquana moved to Austin and joined Open Door COGIC. Shaquana served in hospitality and the local, district, and state choir. It is while singing in the choir where she was introduced to Kenny Wayne Smith. After establishing a friendship that led to them later courting each other, Shaquana and Kenny wed March 2020 where together they have three children Calix (14), Kai (11), and Joi Smith (2). Shaquana is an Apostle and serves alongside her husband Apostle Kenny Wayne of HopeNation Church located in Northwest Austin.

In Corporate America, Shaquana is Manager of Internal Investigations at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Her favorite scripture comes from Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Shaquana believes that as she continues to put God first in her life, the desires of her heart will continually be given unto her.

Shaquana is the host of Bible Study and Chill where she teaches monthly online bible studies on her YouTube channel @ShaquanaSpeaks. She has always been actively involved with teaching youth and women inside and outside of the church on overcoming trauma, becoming made whole, finding your identity in Christ, and pursuing purpose while maintaining purity.