Meet Christian Wise Smith | Candidate for Georgia Attorney General

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christian Wise Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christian, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Currently, I’m running for Georgia Attorney General. I believe in the basic promise that our country was built on—that God created all people equal and that justice and opportunity should exist for everyone. But I also know that right now in Georgia we aren’t doing enough to live up to that promise and that for too many Georgians, the justice system has been profoundly unjust.

An Attorney General has to know when to bring the full weight of justice to the dangerous and the corrupt, when to give someone a second chance, how to be tough on crime without compromising on doing what is right, and have the courage to fight back when our rights—from the right to vote to a woman’s right to decide her own destiny—are under attack.

I’m running for Attorney General to be the people’s lawyer, to move Georgia closer to that promise of justice for all.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I served as an Assistant Prosecutor here in Fulton County, Georgia, but when I was first offered that opportunity I sat down and talked with my family first. We had seen that the American justice system hadn’t always lived up to its promises and I wanted to be sure I could take this job and be true to my ideals.

With their encouragement, I realized we may never have a criminal justice system worthy of its name without more prosecutors with my perspective.

Being a prosecutor with heart means knowing when to bring the full weight of justice to the dangerous and the corrupt and when to give someone a second chance. As Assistant District Attorney, I learned through personal experience that we can be tough on serious crime without compromising on doing what is right.

In 2013, I had a drug case involving a 17-year-old. I talked to him and his mother about his dreams—and realized he was very much like me at his age. I wanted him to have a second chance, too, so I created a diversion program not only for him to earn a dismissal, but to still have a chance at the life he wanted for himself. He completed the program and in 2014 his mother emailed me to let me know he was enrolled in a junior college. In 2015 she reached out to let me know that he transferred to the University of Tennessee where he played football. And in 2018, I attended his college graduation. That change was possible because there was someone there who could see Justin as a person and not just a number.

The attorney general of Georgia has great power and it’s time it was used for the people.
I am running to be the people’s lawyer, where each and every day I can strive to uphold the American promise that we are all equal, that we can achieve true justice for all.

I hope I can count on you to join me in this race and change the face of justice in Georgia.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were in Atlanta for a week, I’d make sure they really enjoyed the city. For breakfast we’d go to Thumbs Up, Atlanta Breakfast Club, or Homegrown.

For Lunch we’d go to Slutty Vegan, Local Green, or a place where I’ve held many meetings over coffee, No Mas Cantina, or we’d get a slice from Felini’s.

For a quick Dinner, we’d go to Busy Bee Cafe. For more engaging conversation, we’d go to Gio’s, Twised Soul, or Rumi’s Kitchen.

For fun, I’m always down to catch a Hawks game at State Farm Arena, I’d also give them a personal tour around the city. We’d visit the King family home and the King Center, the AUC (Atlanta University Center), Buckhead, Decatur, and the SWATS (Southwest Atlanta)

On the weekends after my kids finish their swim meets, we’d walk around Piedmont Park or Downtown Decatur. We’d get BBQ from Fox Brothers, Pit Boss, or the top old school Atlanta joint JJ’s RIb Shack (be prepared to wait). Hopefully Bankhead Seafood will have re-opened too!

And to finish off a great week, we’d take the kids to Top Golf or Putt Shack and the Starlight Drive-in Theatre.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Before finishing high school, I saw several family members and friends destroyed by murder, violence, drugs, and other crimes. At 17, I was kicked out of school. Headed down a path leading straight to a jail cell, I encountered Officer William Dean Sr., a police officer who took an interest in helping me to break free of the low expectations inherent in my situation. Because of his mentoring and support, I learned that I was capable of changing my path. Through working, student loans, and grants, I became the first in my family to graduate from college, earning my Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Juris Doctor degrees.

Website: www.wisesmith4ga.com

Instagram: @christianwisesmith

Linkedin: Christian Wise Smith

Twitter: @chriswisesmith

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgEEKdSJ5d1-ps-JcFnEkZg

Image Credits
Julia Beverly Diwang Valdez Made in Indya photography