Plymouth Educational Center - Board of Directors Bio

Loretta Gary Smith is Vice President/ Community Reinvestment Market Manager for Michigan in the Community Affairs Division of the Public Affairs department for Comerica Incorporated. She is responsible for the management of community affairs activity in Michigan, Western Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and counties. Ms. Smith works with community-based organizations to offer bank products and services to businesses and residents and to develop and fund community/economic development programs that enhance the quality of life for its residents. She manages CRA Officers for the West and Central Regions of Michigan. She is also a certified Housing Counselor.

Mrs. Smith began her banking career with Comerica in 1968. She held various positions within the Human Resource Department starting as a general clerk. After several promotions Mrs. Smith became the officer in charge of staff employment. She was the staff employment manager, responsible for staffing permanent and temporary personnel for the organization and affirmative action programs.

Mrs. Smith is a member of the board of directors of the Plymouth Educational Center, ProLiteracy Detroit and Detroit Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., She also serves on advisory boards for UNCF, James Tatum Foundation for the Arts, UNCF Book Smart 2001 Scholarship Chair and Advisory Board. Ms. Smith is a lifetime member of the NAACP.

The church has always been a principal part of Mrs. Smith's life. She is married to a minister of the gospel. Together they work tirelessly for the benefit of children and education. She and her family are devoted members of New Mt. Hermon Baptist Church in Detroit, where she serves as the Youth Department Director.

She has former board affiliations which included Pontiac Quality Housing Corporation, Habitat for Humanity Metro-Detroit, Booker T. Washington Business Association, SURVIVAL, GNL/CDC, Advisory Board member of the University of Detroit Mercy Leadership Development Institute and a Partner and Tutor for Cornerstone Schools.

Mrs. Smith, along with five (5) other Vice Presidents of Comerica, was featured in the Detroit News as an "Influential Woman". For helping to shape Detroit over the years, she has received many awards and acknowledgments from a variety of organizations. A few of the awards include recognition in 2004 from Pilgrim Village Community and MLK, Jr. Taskforce of Southfield; 1993 Minority Achiever from YMCA Metropolitan Detroit; Award of Recognition from Detroit Neighborhood Housing Services as an executive board member; 1999 Partner in Progress Award & 1993 Pioneer Supporter Award from the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan for her commitment and support of the minority intern program; 1998 National NeighborhoodWorks Award, and the Minority Technology Council of Michigan, Inc. 1994 Certificate of Appreciation, 1998 Innovative Program Award and Going the Extra Mile Award for Oakland County Executive Office. Mrs. Smith is a past and first female Chairperson for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Telethon and is a current advisory board member. She also received the City of Detroit Spirit of Detroit Award; was a member of the City Planning Commission D.O.C.T.O.R. Program (Developing Organizations Capacity to Operate Resourcefully); was recognized for Outstanding Achievement from the Detroit Public Library for four years of special programs from 1979-1983, including Meet Your Librarian, Greater Detroit Read Aloud and Libraries Change Lives; and received recognition from the James Tatum Foundation for the Arts for the GIVE A TOOT@ Instrument Donation Program 1996 & 1997. Also in 1997, Mrs. Smith received an Appreciation Award from Highland Park - North Pointe Community, Continental Cable - Annual Black History Celebration, Inkster Southwest Block Clubs Association, Paint the Town (Royal Oak Township & Detroit) and many others.

Mrs. Smith was instrumental in the donation of former Comerica Bank buildings to the following non-profit organizations: Booker T. Washington Business Association, Brewster Old Timers, Detroit Association of Black Organizations, and Detroit Public Schools.

A native Detroiter, Mrs. Smith attended Detroit Public Schools and the University of Detroit-Mercy. She is married to Rev. William Smith, D.Min. and the mother of three daughters, Stacey, Stephanie and Ashley.