Dr. LaChawn Smith is set to retire from the public sector; but where will she go next?

In an unexpected move this month, Dr. LaChawn Smith, Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, submitted paperwork for her retirement from New Hanover County Schools (NHCS). According to the WHQR’s report, NHCS confirmed Smith’s retirement,

“LaChawn Smith has submitted her retirement effective May 1, 2022, upon approval of the personnel report at the next regular scheduled Board of Education meeting.”

Smith requested that her retirement be effective May 1st, at the end of this school year.

Hired in 1998 as Assistant Principal at Wiliston Middle School, Smith worked her way up to the Deputy Superintendent position in 2019 when Dr. Rick Holliday resigned.

In late 2021, Superintendent Faust announced Smith would fill the role of Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — a position created at the recommendation of equity consulting group Sophic Solutions. On January 6, 2022, Smith became NHCS’ first Equity Officer. Her tenure in this  position lasted a mere two months before she filed for retirement.

Dr. LaChawn Smith’s Controversial Legacy: Equity, Transgenderism, Social Justice

Over the last few years of her career, Smith became a controversial figure in the local community. Distance learning, as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown, revealed to many parents the unamerican ideals taught throughout New Hanover County school district. When concerned residents tracked down the leadership behind CRT and Black Social Justice teachings, Dr. Smith was revealed to be the eye of the Equity hurricane.

When video came to light, showing the Chair of the NHCS school board praising Smith for her leadership in area of Equity, protests ramped up at monthly school board meetings.

What’s next for LaChawn Smith?

Smith has yet to comment on what plans are for her future. Although Dr. Smith may be retiring from NHCS at the end of this school year, New Hanover County residents shouldn’t expect her to completely drop out of the Equity industry. Smith has too much invested in the Black Liberation pedagogy to completely disappear. We shall see.