Who iz Duh Mayuh?
“Education is that whole system of human training within and without house walls, which molds and develops men.”
~ Dr. W.E.B. Dubois
Talented Tenth
SON. STUDENT. EDUCATOR. LEADER. AUTHOR. DUH MAYUH. CEO.
Dontavious "Tay" Smith™; a native, lifelong resident and former student-athlete from the beautiful City of Cocoa, FL (District 1 - the "Diamond Square District)", is known for running for Mayor of Cocoa at the age of 23 years old in attempt to become the youngest African American Mayor in Florida, as well as the City of Cocoa's youngest African American Mayor. Tay is also known for his leadership role at The Florida A&M University, as a member and Chairperson of the FAMU-NAACP Chapter during the Martin Lee Anderson trial in Bay County, FL in 2007.
Tay was raised in a single parent, "Big Ma" household where his grandmother, "Thelma," is the matriarch who helped his young mother raise him in Zion Orthodox Primitive Baptist Church (ZOPBC) where he were baptized by the legendary Rev. P.L. Jones, Jr. on March 1, 1992. Tay began to serve on the usher board and sing in the choir which were recognized by Bernice G. Jackson who helped develop and sculpt Tay's distinct, compassionate, manner able, intelligent and enthusiastic spirit. Tay's Grandfather, the renowned, late Rev. Jimmie Lee Smith, was a spiritual pillar in the Diamond Square District, where his church, Salvation Healing and Miracle Center, were engulfed with the Holy Spirit for their community baptism in nearby lakes to deliver such miraculous events that would overwhelm people that would come near and far. Tay's family on both, Thelma and Rev. Jimmie Lee Smith (Dr. LurLine Smith) family trees, are spiritual covenants that has and continues to mold Tay into the GOD fearing man he is today.
He received his immaculate common sense (street knowledge) from the Diamond Square District of Cocoa, his family, and television (BET; Teen Summit), and his rigorous education curriculum from Brevard Public Schools in Brevard County, FL including [Rockledge High School] where he participated in sports (track/field and football) as a 2-sport letterman including being crowned a 2002 3A Florida Football Champion, and serving in various organizations such as being President of the Rockledge High School African American Society (2002-03) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) (2002-03). Tay was inducted into the Who's Who among America's Top Rated High School Students in 2002; a 2003 Virgil and Virginia Schenck Foundation scholarship endorsement recipient and recipient of a number of other scholarship endorsements from companies such as the Boeing Company, African American greek organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (Iota Pi Omega) in 2003, a full 2 year scholarship to Brevard Community College (Eastern Florida State College) from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (Brevard County Alumnae Chapter), and private scholarships such as the Reginald E. Johnson Scholarship Fund.
Tay was accepted to The Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, FL where he desired to go since attending the Legendary Florida Classic football games between FAMU and Bethune Cookman University (BCU) in the late 80' and early 90's with a plethora of family and community members who are alumni of FAMU. Tay began to serve his illustrious university as a 2003 FAMU Golden Key Honor Society Volunteer; FAMU Student Government Assoiciation (SGA) volunteer; 2005-06 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) - FAMU Press and Publicity Chairman; 2006-2007 FAMU NAACP Community Service Co- Chairman; 2008 Florida A&M University graduate of General Studies majoring in Political Science and Public Administration with a minor African American Economic Development. Tay matured spiritually, mentally and physically on the "Highest of 7 Hills
as he was under watch-care with the, Family Worship and Praise Center, and it's late renowned Pastor and Founder, Rev. Cyrus FLanagan.
Tay preserved that Knowledge and Wisdom, and founded a Florida based S-Corporation where he served as the CEO and Chairman of FOCUS Soltuions Limited. Inc. and Folk Tell Publishing Group Inc along with two other young men from Brevard County, Quintin L. Haynes (FAMU) and Devon K. Adderly (Uni. of Miami) in attempt to innovate and develop the City of Cocoa and other underdeveloped or impoverished areas across the United States in a style and form of target marketing that produces phenomenal results per project.
Immediately upon graduation from FAMU, in 2008, at 23 years old Tay became an official Mayor of Cocoa Candidate endorsing himself on behalf of FOCUS Solutions Limited Inc. with no other volunteers and no other money but his own and his company's. Tay was highly endorsed by William "Bill" Proctor, a Tallahassee, FL District Commissioner as he described Tay's persona and common Love for people in FAMU's campus newspaper, The FAMUan, that "He has the personality and people skills which allow him to communicate with people of all ages and stages, and I think with those ingredients, it would make him a great public servant." Tay did not become elected Mayor in 2008.
Dr. A.G. Gaston is an exclusive reason Tay began indulging in politics, entrepreneurship and higher learning due to the spiritual, moral and financial success of becoming a "Black Titan" in Birmingham, AL during segregation and the Civil Rights movement.
Because of his relentless pursuance of CHANGE in his community, other residents, guests and friends observed such tenacity and began to call Tay "Duh Mayuh™." Predominantly those in the Diamond Square District who watched Tay grow into a man as a ''"homegrown" - "one of or own"'' leader. Through many adversities, Tay remains to Love and Serve his community as though he is the Mayor. His community, friends and fans remain to call him "Duh Mayuh™" which he adds the "321" in social media due to the Legendary "3-2-1" countdown in reference to NASA's former Space Shuttle Human-flight missions and its current rocket and space missions. NASA is a government scientific agency where a boast of Tay's relatives, neighbors and community leaders were employed with, which served as a vital education avenue for Tay and his Science Engineering Communications Mathematics Enrichment (SECME), now STEM program, participation at Rockledge High School where they placed 1st in three out of his 4 years.
Tay is also a author for the highly anticipated memoir series, ''Hood Bred"® , a complex-self motivational, tell all compilation of experiences and revolutionary writing that innovates Change through LOVE and RESPECT.
Tay is a family man who soon hopes to have his wife, kids, gated fence and ugh dog. He is currently single (never married), with no children residing in Cocoa, FL and you can follow him on twitter @DuhMayuh321 and on Instagram @tayduhmayuh321.