Lauren Smith-Fields' best friend pays tribute to their friendship

Lauren Smith-Fields, a 23-year-old Black woman, was found dead in her Bridgeport, Connecticut, apartment on Dec. 12 after a date with a white man she had met on Bumble. More than a month later, the police opened a criminal investigation after her family had to beg for answers. Smith-Fields' family and public officials have accused police of racial bias in the investigation, and many have taken to social media to criticize how missing Black people are treated by law enforcement.

Jan. 23 would have been Smith-Fields' 24th birthday.

Here is a tribute penned by her best friend Alontia Moore.

I want to start by saying Lauren Q. Smith-Fields was one of a kind. I'll never forget the first day I met her, our best friend was giving her a tour of Stamford High School. When I first looked at her, I never would've thought she'd make this much of an impact in my life.

Lauren was the friend you go to when you're upset just so she can snap you out of a bad mood.

She was the friend you can cry with because she would probably cry with you.

She was the friend you can go and tell everything to with zero judgment.

She was the friend we all love and need.

Her energy was surely one of a kind. Every room she went into, she lit up without even trying. Since we have known each other, it's been nothing but endless memories. We cried together, shared accomplishments together, hit milestones together, got in trouble together, been happy together — we were one. Lauren was my right hand, my twin, my ace, my best friend, but most of all, my sister.

My mom loved Lauren like she was one of her own. There wasn't a time we weren't really together. I could always count on Lauren to be there for me. When I got into my car accident, we had gotten into an argument a couple of weeks before. So when I saw her come see me, we cried our eyes out. The first thing she said to me was, "Why are you crying?" And I told her, "Because, I didn't think you'd come."

Lauren never had a bad heart; she cared for everyone she had a genuine relationship with and even others she wasn't that close to. She was just always that happy, jumpy, full-of-life friend. Her life was a beautiful journey, and I'm glad I got to experience it with her. She is so loved to this day and we are doing everything we can to prove it.

It's never, "Goodbye," it's always, "See you later sis!"

- Alontia Moore, best friend of Lauren Smith-Fields

Pulse of The 912

LeAndrea Mikell is making history as the first Black president of the Georgia Jaycees in its 90-plus year history. The organization's mission is to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create change, and I chat with LeAndrea about her goals and vision as she takes on this role.

Laura Nwogu: First of all, I want to congratulate you on being named the president of the Georgia Jaycees. When you hear ‘first Black’ and ‘first Black woman’ in conjunction with your name, especially with an organization that has been around for 90 plus years, what does it mean for you to be the woman that's breaking that barrier?

LeAndrea Mikell: “So first, I'm super honored that people trust me to lead the organization, in general. It is a little exciting, but also scary. It feels like progress. I'm excited but I'm also like, OK, do all you can but also just do your best because I feel like you were selected because people trust you as a person, and that’s first and foremost. Hopefully, the people that are voting or deciding or looking in my direction see a person first.

LN: When you look back, are there any moments or lessons you've learned that you can attest to leading you to where you are now?

LM: “People think I'm so strategic, and I honestly really focus on doing the right thing for the right reason at the right time. When I joined Jaycees, I had no desire to be president, but it really was just like, ‘OK, how can today be great?’”

LN: I love that. And how was your involvement with Georgia Jaycees and Savannah Jaycees bled into, or helped, your role as executive director for governmental relations at Savannah State University? Because Jaycees is all about empowering young people.

LM: “Absolutely. It's been really helpful for a number of reasons. First of all, in the Savannah Jaycees, one of the things we did a lot last year were community conversations where we brought in elected officials to talk about things that were relevant to things happening right now. And a lot of those people I’m working with now professionally because I have to.

“Then for part of my role to be leading our community engagement efforts, the people in Jaycees are people that I just would not have known otherwise because we work in different industries. We have different circles, but we are united by our love for community, so that's been one of the cool things that's been able to bleed into a lot of areas.”

LN: In Savannah Jaycees, you had a bunch of different roles. Did you learn anything in those leadership roles, or in the membership period, that prepared you for being president of Georgia Jaycees?

LM: “Yes. This is probably like right post-George Floyd when we started having very honest conversations, and we realized that we go out together and we volunteer together and do all these things, but we had never sat down and really communicated as much as we could have, I think.

“And so, just being very transparent was a good lesson for me. Even with my friends to say, ‘Listen, we can do all these other things together, but I need you to stand up for me’ and having a group of people that will advocate and support, but also people that you can learn from, has been helpful. So, I think one of the things that I've learned is looking at every person in every interaction and seeing what I can learn from it, good or bad.”

LN: Where did the drive and passion to be so embedded in the community, with young people especially, stem from?

LM: “I think it's my parents. And it's the people that are around me and understanding that I feel very fortunate in a lot of ways to have great friends and loving my career and having a great daughter. But I think seeing places where I can help; that's how I was raised, is you have to.”

LN: And by the end of your one-year term, what do you hope to have accomplished in this role?

LM: “My biggest goal for the Georgia Jaycees is for us, as an organization, to refocus on the mission. There are so many events happening around the country right now where we're divided in so many ways. When I said yes and thought about, OK, what do I want to do? I'm like, I want us to be better, but I want us to do it together. And so, my big goal for the year is for all the chapters — because they all look so different — to really come together and say, ‘This is what I want to contribute, and this is what I want to kind of get out of the year.’”

LN: Shifting a little, this is a Black newsletter, so it's Black every time. But obviously, this month is Black History Month. What does it personally mean for you to be Black in Savannah?

LM: “Oh, gosh. So, it changes, right? It kind of depends on your space and the time. I don't know how to say it without sounding weird, but I love being a Black woman in Savannah. I recognize that we are not always as welcome in every space, but I love the ideas that we bring, I love the perspective that we're able to contribute, and I just love the fact that we have so many women — or people — in Savannah to look up to. The person that I interned under and who I credit for my anything is Erica Backus at Visit Savannah.”

LN: She’s great! I've talked to her a few times in short conversations.

LM: “She's amazing. I interned with her when I was at Savannah State. I'm an introvert, but I was way less confident and way less comfortable with being in front of anything. Seeing her, the way that she handled herself and what she gave to the community, was huge for me. Or people like Tammie Mosley. Just having space where you're nurtured and you have that person — it's a great mix. You have people that are like family, but then you also have the ability to stand out.”

LN: I totally agree. The Black women leaders in this city are so incredible, including you!

LM: “(laughs) I'm not there yet, but thank you. But even at Savannah State working for the president, I can't tell you how it feels to come in and have that type of example. And then also having people that can relate to you whenever you get tired or frustrated or whatever, and being able to say ‘I understand’ and you know that they do.”

LN: Getting that understanding and just the acknowledgment is so great, especially from another Black woman.

LM: “It's going to be an uphill battle, but I'm grateful that we have such a great support system starting in Savannah and building throughout the state.”

LN: And my final and favorite question: Why do you love the 912?

LM: “I always say that Savannah is a place that you can never duplicate; you can't build or buy it again. It's just beautiful. The landscape is beautiful, I love the people in Savannah and I love the fact that we're a city but we also have a strong community. Savannah is just one of my favorite places. It’s beautiful in most ways.”

Art of The 912

The 912 newsletter will highlight a local Black artist every two months as the header image for the weekly issue. This month's artist is Calvin Woodum.

Follow Woodum on Instagram and Facebook:

Instagram: @woodum469 @calwoodart

Facebook: @calwoodart

Stories of the 912

1: From a garage to designing flowers for presidents, Lester's Florist closes after 50 years

In recent years, Lester Anthony has come a long way from 1971 when he started his floral design business in a garage with $200 in his pocket. Now -- 50 years (and six months) later – many of his customers are sad that the man behind Lester’s Florist has retired and closed the doors to his well-known Savannah flower shop.

2: 'I had to call on my community': Savannah coffee shop, marketplace for Black creators finds new home

After the search for a new home and COVID-19 related delays, The Culturist Union coffeehouse and artisan marketplace for Black creators will open for business in spring 2022.

3: Five Savannah couples celebrate many years of marriage and power of Black love this February

Not only is February known as Black History Month, it is also the month during which we celebrate lovers – Valentine’s Day! To honor the significance of Black history and in keeping with the tradition of Valentine’s Day, this month’s column is dedicated to Black love.

4: Real men giving real time: 100 Black Men of Savannah provide youth with tools to thrive

Mentoring is the essence of the 100 Black Men of Savannah, Inc. The organization is committed to empowering Savannah’s youth to become self-sufficient in their communities.

5: Jury selection begins in federal hate crimes trial for Ahmaud Arbery's killers

Nine people were excused after four hours of jury selection in the federal hate crimes trial against Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and their neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan, the men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Lauren Smith-Fields' best friend pays tribute to their friendship