Lorinda Hawkins Smith

Lorinda is an accomplished actor, author, advocate, musician, writer, comedian, and filmmaker. She is a domestic violence survivor who earned her MBA while transitioning from houseless to housed. A true "artivist,” Lorinda is at home combining art and social justice. She has worked in social justice theatre for over two decades being recognized by the California Legislature Assembly. Her comedy has received awards from the City of Hawthorne and the Burbank Comedy (Covid) Festival. A certified Violence Prevention Specialist, Lorinda has produced events for the Skid Row community that bring awareness to domestic violence with "Cries from the Heart," along with uplifting events like "Bringing the Gospel to the Streets." "Justice? Or… Just Me? The Bite, The Fight, and The Flight,” is her acclaimed book and solo play trilogy based on her journey as a domestic violence survivor. Her short film, "The Virus" has 8 wins in the film festival circuit including, “Best Covid” and “Best Comedy.” Her PSA spoof "Domestic Violence: What Is It?" earned an honorable shout-out in the 2022 Green Screen Film Festival. Lorinda is honored to have been one of five playwrights for the Robey Theatre Company’s Commissioned Playwrights Project. Her play, “Vaccination Elevation,” had a recent staged reading at the historic Los Angeles Theatre Center. Lorinda is honored to be working with the Urban Voices Project and to represent Bridget "Biddy" Mason in the Historical Portraits Project at the Los Angeles Public Library. Check out Lorinda on FB, IG, TikTok, YouTube, and her website.