SHELTON D. SMITH

CHICAGO’S FLY GUY RADIO & TV Broadcast Media Talent & Mentor

Hello, Club Fifty!!

Today’s post is about ‘The Effective Empowerment of Healthy Mentorships!!’

My next guest at Club Fifty is a remarkable individual I’ve had the privilege of knowing for decades. Known as Chicago's Fly Guy, he boasts an impressive array of talents and roles. He serves as a Deacon, a Servant Leader, a Humanitarian, a Teacher, and is a proud member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Additionally, he shines as a radio and TV media host. While his many achievements are noteworthy, what stands out most is his unwavering commitment to mentoring African American male youths across the Chicagoland area. He truly embodies the powerful sentiment of being "My Brother's Keeper." I've had the honor of witnessing him nurture and guide young boys as they make the critical transition into adulthood. His approach to mentorship is both profound and practical, focusing on building strong, trusting relationships that foster growth and development. He prioritizes being present, actively listening, and offering encouragement infused with optimism. He helps these young men to go to college, set realistic goals, celebrate their achievements, and provide them with honest and constructive feedback. Above all, he empowers them to take ownership of their growth and development, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate life's challenges.

Welcome back to Club Fifty!

 MEET SHELTON D. SMITH

 Shelton D. Smith is a multi-talented Radio & Television Media Personality, Producer, Talk Show Host, Emcee, and Public Speaker. Shelton Smith is established as The Connector with Influence. Sir Shelton is most notable for his branded talent as America’s Favorite Personality, “Chicago’s Fly Guy”. Shelton Smith is the talented co-host and producer of The Simeon Henderson Talk Show. Shelton Smith is also co-host of the REAL TALK Podcast with Simeon Henderson at Intellectual Radio and iHeartRadio. Sir Shelton Smith is a television Host, Correspondent, and Commentator with the BeSpire Television Network and Broadcast Media Production Company. As a correspondent and commentator with the BeSpire TV network, Shelton Smith covers human-interest stories and trending newsworthy topics related to entertainment, politics, and business.

 Shelton Smith serves as co-host of the B ZONE Radio Show with Traci S. Campbell and Bryan Harper. The B ZONE radio show is heard via Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and JAM98 Music-for-Your-Soul each Sunday from 12:00 -2:00 PM CST.

As an accomplished radio and television media personality, Shelton Smith has been featured on numerous radio and television programs, including iHeartRadio V103's "The Battle of The Best" with Herb Kent, recurring guest on SOAR radio's "Let’s Stay Together Talk," WVON's "The Talk of Chicago," and WCIU-TV's "Now."Chicago, Season 5 of the NBC TV Drama Chicago Fire, Young Gifted & Black Rise Up & Walk, Where Are the Missing Children, From Ashes to Beauty, and cast in the movie Judge Knott, released in 2024, streaming on @Tubi.

Sir Shelton Smith served as the exuberant Chicago Guest Ringmaster for the world-renowned UniverSOULLL Circus. The UniverSOULLL Circus is the global stage that showcases highly skilled, multi-talented acrobatic performers from the Caribbean to the United States.

 Shelton Smith is a public servant, community leader, and organizer. Shelton serves as executive manager and liaison over logistics with the BESIMBOLIC Foundation. The BESIMBOLIC Foundation hosts an annual Scholarship Golf Outing. The BESIMBOLIC Foundation Scholarship promotes students to concentrate on a positive education. The BESIMBOLIC Scholarship was created by Chicago Actor and Author Simeon Henderson, in honor of his beloved Mother, Mrs. Emma K. Wideman, an advocate for education. The BESIMBOLIC Scholarship is designed to support students on their quest to reach their full potential in life.

 Shelton Smith has been officially declared “The Dream Maker” by the Bronzeville Children’s Museum of Chicago. Shelton Smith has served as a notable mentor to Chicago’s next generation of young, gifted, and black boys for twenty-eight years. Shelton maintains a 97% high school graduation rate amongst his mentees. He is responsible for hundreds of African-American boys matriculating into college and providing them with scholarships. Shelton was featured as the 2022 Gentleman on the Cover by Jenleeion Magazine. During May 2024, Shelton was featured in the vintage NEGRO DIGEST Magazine, The Only Magazine for Black Men-In-America. During October 2024, Shelton Smith was inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame. During November 2024, Shelton was honored to receive the prestigious Monarch Award, presented by the Monarch Foundation.

Shelton is proud to share the prestigious Monarch Award with notable men of prominence, including President Barack Obama, Actor Harry Lennix, Journalist Harry Porterfield, Playwright Oscar Brown Jr., and his Pastor, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III.

 Shelton Smith has a broad and diverse professional resume as a businessman. He has maintained a career of thirty-five years in Wealth Management Finance. Shelton is passionate about educating the next generation on the importance of understanding financial literacy, generational wealth, and the best practices of economic wisdom. Shelton has served in radio & television media for eighteen years. Shelton’s dedication to the pursuit of excellence earned him the prestigious corporate Irv Weiser Award from RBC Wealth Management, the sixth largest Wealth Management firm in the world.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama tributed Shelton, extending personal recognition to Shelton Smith, Chicago’s Fly Guy, for his unwavering labor and ability to rescue families from the hardships caused by societal ills, as a result of providing next-level opportunities to black male youth.

Shelton Smith is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, where he actively serves in leadership with the Epsilon Chi Sigma chapter in Chicago, Illinois.

Shelton D. Smith is a Deacon and Assistant Superintendent of Saturday Bible School at Trinity United Church of Christ, under the Pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III.

 Shelton believes a true man of God remains committed to a cause greater than himself.

IN CONVERSATION WITH MENTOR SHELTON D. SMITH

The Mentor Who Teaches Success

C50: Talk to us about your Journey as an inspiring mentor for the past twenty-eight years?

SS: My journey as a mentor to Chicago’s next generation began in 1997. I made a conscious decision to get involved, choosing to serve as both an advocate and asset to youth living in underserved communities with no structure and no professional, resourceful support. My ultimate goal was to develop essential solutions necessary for safeguarding black male youth in our communities from repeating the ongoing cycle of unsavory lifestyles, which lead to incarceration and transitioning into an early grave.

 C50: Please provide Club Fifty with some statistics regarding your track record as a successful mentor.

SS: I have maintained a 97% high school graduation rate amongst my mentees. I have managed a 90% improvement in academic performance amongst my mentees as a result of structured tutoring and educational time. 96% of the students under my mentor leadership are college-ready and matriculate into higher education. Although not every student is college-bound, every student is nurtured with the tools to develop their purpose; therefore, identifying their passion and developing the skills to reach their full potential in life is equally successful. I am pleased to share that 100% of the mentees are integrity-focused and driven by a strong sense of ethics. I have a zero tolerance for disrespect. My mentees are provided with code of conduct guidelines. These guidelines are adhered to in school, at home, and in society. 100% of my mentees adhere to my policy, understanding that jail is avoidable, as a result of my teaching them the ten rules of survival if ever stopped or approached by the police.  

 C50: What has been the most troubling experience for you as a mentor?

SS: The most troubling experience for me as a mentor came the morning of December 11, 2015. I received an early morning disturbing phone call, informing me that one of my promising mentees had been murdered by gun violence. I was so rattled by this unfortunate news. I could not believe what I was hearing. I became dazed and confused. I was in total shock. This young, gifted, and multi-talented individual, with a bright and promising future, had suddenly lost his life. He trusted me; he trusted my guidance, my direction, and my advice. I had instilled in him that if you follow this route, you will be alright. This unfortunate act was not his fault. It was no fault of mine, but it was devastating for his village, and I was one of his village keepers. I wanted to give up. I asked myself, what’s the use? I felt defeated by societal ills. It was God who gave me the resilience to keep going. It was God who nurtured me back with the spirit of perseverance. It was God who would not allow me to be defeated. It was God who reminded me that I shall do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.

C50: What has been the most rewarding experience for you serving as a mentor?

SS: The most rewarding experience for me, serving as a mentor, was receiving personal recognition from former First Lady Michelle Obama. Her words of encouragement reassured me that my unwavering work and unconditional support for Chicago’s next generation are essential for changing the narrative of how the world views Black boys and Black men.

 C50: As a Deacon in the faith-based community at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, how involved are you with the youth of your church?

SS: I have been an ordained Deacon at Trinity UCC for twenty-four years. I have taught Christian Education to seventh- and eighth-grade students as part of Trinity’s Saturday Bible School Confirmation Discipleship experience for the past twenty-three years. I am the Assistant Superintendent and leader for the confirmation discipleship experience. Our students’ academic level aligns with the scripture in Luke 2:41-52, where Jesus was found in the temple studying and learning about God at the age of twelve, as recorded by his parents.

 C50: What are the requirements for a young man to seek your mentor guidance?

SS: The young man must be open-minded. The young man must be open to developing discipline. The young man must want to do better and be better. The young man must be willing to be vulnerable. The young man must embrace nurturing a relationship. The young man must respect and trust the process. The young man must be present for the mentor-mentee experience to be effective.

 C50: As a result of the current climate and conditions amongst youth, do you think the city of Chicago should implement curfew conditions?

SS: Yes, I think a curfew offers structure and guidance. Children should not be allowed to gather in a social setting unattended during late-night hours. Political leaders, community leaders, and law enforcement have an obligation to safeguard our city from all forms of unsavory activity. Children are not adults. Therefore, children do not dictate where they will live; they are told where they are allowed to live. Considering the numerous unsavory activities, implementing a curfew is a short-term solution to a much bigger problem.

 C50: In addition to your work as a notable mentor, you are a professional radio host and television media correspondent. Share your experiences with us about your success in the media.

SS: Wow, Club fifty really does homework research. Yes, I am a radio host with the B ZONE at JAM98 Music-For-Your-Soul each Sunday from 12-2 PM CST. The B Zone is heard throughout the Midwest and East Coast, as well as on Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio. I am a host and producer with The Real Talk weekly Podcast at Intellectual Radio. The Real Talk Podcast can be heard each Tuesday at 8 PM CST. I am a television host, correspondent, and commentator with BeSpire TV. BeSpire TV is available on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. As a correspondent and commentator with BeSpire TV, I cover newsworthy stories pertaining to politics, business, and entertainment. As a media professional, I am dedicated to delivering current and engaging content that informs, entertains, and inspires my audience.

 C50: Please tell Club Fifty about your inspiring experience with being inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame.

SS: During October 2024, I received a phone call that I and my podcast show co-host Simeon Henderson of Real Talk, had been nominated and were being inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame induction resulted from hosting an inspiring podcast. The hall of fame induction was also about our work and success as humanitarian and philanthropic leaders. Simeon Henderson and I are co-labor executives with the BESIMBOLIC Foundation. The BESIMBOLIC Foundation was founded in 2020, in honor of Simeon Henderson’s beloved Mother, Emma K. Wideman, an advocate for education. The BESIMBOLIC Foundation awards one deserving male student and one deserving female student from an underserved community with a scholarship for their matriculation into higher education. The student recipients are presented with their scholarships at the annual BESIMBOLIC golf outing hosted at Silver Lake Country Club.

 C50: As we prepare to close, please offer our club fifty readers a message of motivational encouragement.

SS: I encourage everyone to live out loud. Never be afraid to be different. Give the world the best version of yourself. Become the change that you want to see for the betterment of the world. Everyone is either part of the problem or part of the solution. If you witness something strange but choose not to say anything, that makes you part of the problem. If you witness something unusual and are courageous enough to speak up, that makes you part of the solution. Exercise your right to verbalize your empowering voice. Exercise the right, in the power of your vote. Exercise your right to change the narrative others have about you. Take control of your identity as a narrative-changer. I learned that there are two types of people in the world: ordinary and extraordinary; the only difference between the two is those who are willing to do a little extra. Always heir on the side of extraordinary. God bless.

C50: Thank you, Smitty, for stopping by Club Fifty. Keep up the great work!