VI-born stenographer Kimesha Smith enjoying success in US’ judicial arena
Smith recently received public attention on the high-profile Fani Willis trials, working under Judge Scott F. McAfee. That case has received much attention, as it came about from the well-publicised indictment of former President Donald J. Trump who was heard in a recording berating and threatening Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, repeating various false claims about voter fraud and begging the Republican official to overturn the election results.
Perseverance
According to a publication by Virgin Islands Daily News on July 8, 2024, Smith always wanted to be a court reporter but would find herself on the brink of quitting on achieving her dreams.
The publication revealed that after graduating from Elmore Stoutt High School in Tortola, Smith attended cosmetology school and later studied Computer Information Systems at DeVry Technology University in Georgia.
Smith, who has strong roots in Carrot Bay, attended Brown College of Court Reporting; however, she found it challenging, including being a mother of a five-year-old daughter.
“I almost gave up,” Smith said of her first year at Brown, “This was too hard for me,” Smith told Virgin Islands Daily News.
Smith said she held on; however, and focused on memorizing the 22 keys on the stenography machine and practised daily.
“The dropout rate at reporting school was 97%, and I kept telling myself I was going to be the 3% that made it,” Smith said, adding “there [are] not a lot of stenographers,” and recommends anyone interested in this field of study to “practice, practice, practice!”
Solid advice
“Try to meet people in the field that will motivate you because there are challenges that will discourage you,” Smith further told Virgin Islands Daily News.
It said Smith’s career took off in 2020 as a legal transcriber, and she would often fill in as a floating court reporter. It added that in 2023, Smith was hired as the permanent court reporter under Judge McAfee and has worked closely with US Virgin Islander Ionie Taylor on the Fani Willis vs Donald J. Trump cases.
Smith told Virgin Islands Daily News that it is her most notable case to date, and she continues to contribute her expertise to many trials and proceedings.
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18 Responses to “VI-born stenographer Kimesha Smith enjoying success in US’ judicial arena”
Now that you have achieved your goals, continue to put God first and strive my sister. We will continue to encourage and pray for your continued success. You are deserving and as one of your favourite cousins would say: "Who Jah Bless, No Man Curse." Enjoy the fruits of your hard earned labour. Blessings.
Now let me respond to that negative blogger. The reasons why people hate on persons like her is she has taken away that haters excuse. Other persons accomplish highlights our own unwillingness to work hard and sacrifice. So easy to full your head with stupid smoke and drift through life. Not pointing out those who had the drive and ambition but just did not have the means or support. Keep in keeping Ms. Smith.
Not everyone wants to work in finance and tourism.
Expand the youths opportunities or experience brain drain smh