As part of Xpress‘ annual Women in Business issue, we reached out to elected officials and municipal leaders seeking their stories about influential role models, lived experiences and obstacles they’ve faced. Below is our exchange with Sheneika Smith, Asheville City Council member.
Xpress: Who were the role models that inspired you to seek elected office?
Smith: I grew up watching my parents serve with humility and vision. My father, a pastor, and my mother, an educator and entrepreneur, taught me to show up and to create opportunity where there was none. As I matured, I looked to women like Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan, who stepped into political spaces not designed for them and made their presence undeniable. Locally, I was deeply influenced by everyday Black women in Asheville who organized, advocated and built networks of care with very little recognition. They modeled self-determination and the power of bringing people to the table.
How has your lived experience informed the way you lead?
Before public office, I built spaces for cultural celebration and economic belonging through initiatives like Date My City, and now I provide executive leadership at Sistas Caring 4 Sistas (SC4S) to address inequities in maternal health. Those experiences taught me how to navigate complex systems while staying connected to real people’s needs. I know what it’s like to be overlooked and underestimated, and I carry that awareness into policymaking and organizational leadership. It keeps me committed to transparency and creating pathways for voices that are often left out of the conversation.
What obstacles do women still face in seeking elected positions?
Women, especially Black women, continue to face barriers that are both visible and subtle. There’s the persistent double standard: competence is questioned, leadership style is scrutinized and likeability is demanded in ways it isn’t for men. Many women also lack access to the same political networks and financial backing needed to run competitive campaigns. And for mothers, the demands of family and work can make public life feel inaccessible. Still, each woman who steps forward helps chip away at those barriers and widen the path for the next generation of leaders.
We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the over 30 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we’ve never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.
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View all posts by Brionna Dallara
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Women in Politics: Show up and create opportunities – Mountain Xpress
