Will Smith ’14

As a junior government major at William & Mary, Will Smith walked into a Politics in Africa course and was immediately captivated. Little did he know, that course would change the trajectory of his entire life. Will, a former two-year captain of the Tribe men’s soccer team who was named CAA Defensive Player of the Year his senior season, is using the unique combination of education, sports and leadership training to create opportunities for young people in Liberia, Morocco and communities across the globe.

Will is the co-founder and executive director of LEAD, a global nonprofit that empowers future leaders through quality education and sport. At present, LEAD has two leadership academies – LEAD Monrovia Football Academy in Monrovia, Liberia and LEAD Morocco in El Mansouria, Morocco – that educate, train, and feed nearly 200 boys and girls. As LEAD grows its academies and works to add new ones across Africa, it is simultaneously working globally. Through an audio-based distance learning platform called LEAD Learning, virtual conversations with established global leaders through LEAD Speaks, and advisory services provided to professional athletes through LEAD Activate, LEAD is building a global leadership movement to inspire a better, more inclusive world. 

Learn more about Will

• Watch a video about the Transformative Potential of Football.
• Read his feature in World Minded.
• Read about Will on the Global Research Institute's blog.
• Read his feature in the W&M Alumni Magazine.
• Read his perspective on the power of scholarships and impact W&M had on his life.