Howard Graduate Dreams of City Councilman Title

At first listen, Smart talks quickly – so quickly the he makes one want to listen faster.

Still, the moment that the flow of his speed and baritone becomes familiar to the ears, passion hangs from the end of every sentence and one has been granted entry to the experience that is a conversation with Bryan Smart.

Smart is more than a man of booming voice. He is also a believer in divine design.

The goosebumps he felt when visiting Howard prior to the beginning of his matriculation were not the consequence of a DC breeze. His switch from a major in Biology to a major in Political Science was not a whim marked by indecisiveness. His involvement in student politics up to his senior-year position of HUSA president was not a mere bullet of achievement to be placed on his resume. He saw a void and filled it with his own commitment.

"Genuine people…who not only understand the plight of the people they're representing but know them, and are able to articulate what it is they need without ‘selling out' -- there should be more people like that in the realm of politics."

Echoing Elijah Cummings' declaration that "If you can win an election at Howard, you can win an election anywhere, Smart notes that "the election climate at Howard is very similar to that of the real world."

These days, he's taken his scope from 10,00 at Howard to 200,00 in Houston by rolling out "The Smart Plan" for Houston's District B City Council. Hoping to "invest in the development of [their] youth and care of [their] senior citizens" as well as "improve city services and public safety" amongst many other goals, Smart is prepared to work on the people's behalf.

Though the accent gives away his Texas roots, it's not as easy to guess what comprises a usual day for the 23-year-old political hopeful.

"Every morning I work out with my family…. We'll run between 5 and 8 miles," Smart began.

If 5 to 8 miles is not enough of a doozy, consider a non-stop succession of political activity which might include: making calls to potential donors and local media, stopping by a nursing home or community center, knocking on doors and catching up on local news. But just as Smart starts his day with a familial focus, at some point before it ends, he will find himself debriefing with key volunteers, those involved in the campaigning process, and, of course, his kin.

The idea of family extends beyond blood relatives for Smart. Like most people who embark on the HU trek, he considers himself to be a member of the Howard family. According to the 2010 grad, the university's atmosphere prepares one not only through intellectual rigor, but also through values. The attention given to students by faculty puts on the pressure, but just like the force necessary to create precious jewels, it molds a fine product. "When a professor can say, ‘You didn't come to my class the other day, Bryan Smart,' it prepares you to be accountable," he remarked.

If he speaks too quickly to take notes, the best suggestion would be for anyone within earshot to listen a little faster. A word from Bryan Smart could be the reassurance that one needs to resist the urges of apprehension or judgment and just do it. With great confidence in his alma mater, he states that "Once the rest of Howard introduces themselves to the world, it will be a better place.

He speaks specifically to those with dreams of entering politics, "It's possible. I'm doing it with an idea in my head, a lot of people who supported me, and a couple who didn't."

Having been told by current U.S. president Barack Obama to "Dream big dreams," Smart does not mind passing the word along.

"Don't wait on your dreams. Whatever your goals are; write them down. Put them in a place where you can look at them and get them done. …if you have a dream that you want to live: some vision in your head that you want to do, if that's what's fulfilling, don't worry about how much the pay is or the critics. By all means, go for it."

Smart continues to campaign in preparation for the November 8 election. He encourages students to contact him especially if they are thinking about running for office. He can be reached at bryanmsmart@gmail.com. Further details of his plans for Houston can be found at smartforhouston.com.