Dr. Kelvin & LaRita Smith

Dr. Kelvin Smith is an autism self-advocate who received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University and a PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech. He works as a senior data scientist at an AdTech company using statistical modeling and machine learning to increase audience targeting efficiency. His contribution to students is his gift of teaching, mentoring, and passion for learning. As an autism academic coach, Kelvin combines his PhD-level expertise with authentic lived experience, offering academic booster sessions to autistic first-year college students. He lives a simple life and enjoys reading Almanacs and textbooks, trivia, game shows, bridge, and occasionally, a little blackjack.

LaRita Smith is a parent autism advocate and proud mom of Dr. Kelvin Smith. She received a Bachelor of Science in Corrections from Jacksonville State University and served as a recruiter, trainer, and licensed social worker in therapeutic foster care programs for over 20 years. Her career includes case management services for teens aging out of foster care, pregnant and parenting teens, a parenting life skills instructor, and peer mentoring programs in public schools. She is the founder of KLSpeaks, LLC, which offers Autism Academic Coaching and Inspirational Talks that inspire hope and motivation by presenting authentic perspectives and lived experiences. LaRita believes that every child and adult on the autism spectrum is blessed with gifts. Remove the ribbon, take the paper off, open the box, and find the treasure inside! Find the gift and focus on it!