THE HEART BEHIND D.E.T.T.O.U.R

“Be to them who they are missing.”
That’s not just our motto—it’s my personal mission.

D.E.T.T.O.U.R was born from both pain and purpose. When I was just 14, a tragic accident took away my chance to grow under the guidance of my biological mother. From that moment forward, I became a child of the village—raised by mentors, elders, teachers, and community members who stepped in, stepped up, and gave me the tools I needed to keep going.

Their love saved me. Their presence shaped me.
Now, I devote time to being that presence for someone else.

As a veteran, and  educational leader,  with a background in Psychology and Social Work, I’ve spent my life studying human behavior, systems of oppression, and the ways trauma gets passed down if we don’t interrupt it. But more than anything, I’ve learned this: what young people need most is to be seen, heard, and believed in.

D.E.T.T.O.U.R didn’t start traditionally. It wasn’t born in a boardroom or through a grant. 

It was sparked during COVID, when the world shut down—and so did many young people. While schools scrambled to shift online, I started working directly with youth who were disengaged, discouraged, and drowning in uncertainty. I gave them what I had: tools to stay focused, space to talk, and reasons to keep showing up. Soon after, we began supporting caregivers too—those feeling overwhelmed and alone.

What began as a lifeline during a crisis is now a movement.

D.E.T.T.O.U.R is here to Replace Trauma with Empowerment to Reach Excellence

. We build up youth not by fixing them—but by reminding them of who they already are.

Thank you for believing in this work.
Thank you for believing in them.

With purpose and love,
Taneisha Smith
Founder & Executive Director
D.E.T.T.O.U.R – Developing Excellence Through Teaching Our Youth Resilience