Word to the Wise | Forecasting Change: How Jaren Smith is Redefining the Face of Broadcast Meteorology

By Anna De Cheke Qualls

For Jaren Smith, the journey to becoming a broadcast meteorologist wasn’t mapped out by traditional means. It took a village, a detour through athletics and education, and an unwavering commitment to his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, to realize a dream sparked in middle school.

Today, as he graduates with a Master’s degree in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology from Howard, Smith is not just stepping into a new on-air role in Texas—he is making history.

A Seed Planted in Dayton

Smith’s fascination with the weather began long before his graduate studies. Growing up in Dayton, he attended the Dayton Early College Academy on the campus of the University of Dayton. It was there that an observant middle school teacher noticed his affinity for atmospheric phenomena.

“In middle school, my teacher Ms. Kallahan knew I loved weather, the Weather Channel, and tornadoes,” Smith recalls. “She had me write a paper to go to a NOAA weather camp at Howard for two weeks. From then, I stuck with wanting to be a weatherman. That camp solidified my future.”

Despite this early clarity, Smith’s path took a dynamic pivot. As a talented athlete, he became the first person from his high school to sign a national letter of intent on a full athletic scholarship. Because his undergraduate institution did not offer a meteorology program, he majored in communications, planning to merge his media skills with his scientific passions later.

Before leaping into graduate school, Smith took a two-year hiatus to serve his community. He returned to his roots to work as a middle school teacher and head basketball coach at Trotwood Madison Middle School, mentoring more than 30 young men.

“I told them what I was going to do, and them seeing I stood on that is big for my community,” Smith notes. “They are kids from a bad school district, but that positive light—I just hope it gives some of them the push they need to go get it themselves!”

Mastering the Science and Closing the Gap

When Smith came to Howard for his graduate studies, he was ready to execute his vision. He augmented his Atmospheric Sciences curriculum by taking broadcasting courses at American University through the academic consortium.

His graduate research was driven by a pressing public need: ensuring that severe weather alerts are universally understood, particularly by marginalized communities. As storms intensify and technology rapidly advances, Smith saw a critical gap in how broadcast meteorologists communicate with the public.

At the heart of Smith’s graduate work was a determination to bridge the gap between complex meteorological data and everyday public comprehension. By tracking and analyzing a decade's worth of survey data, he pinpointed the persistent roadblocks that keep citizens from fully understanding emergency alerts when a crisis strikes.

However, his mission went beyond general public safety; it was deeply rooted in equity. Recognizing that Spanish is the second most common language spoken in American households, Smith tailored his research to address the specific vulnerabilities faced by Spanish-speaking families during severe weather. By evaluating how language barriers compound the dangers of escalating storms, his work strives to ensure that equitable, life-saving information reaches every home long before the first warning siren sounds.

“It has to be fixed, especially with storms intensifying and technology advancing,” Smith emphasizes. “I gathered data from surveys and did a comparison on what the consistent problems have been and seeing how it has changed over a 10+ year period.”

The Broadcast Pivot: Preparation to Execution

Translating his academic research into a highly visible television career required rigorous real-world preparation. Smith secured a pivotal, year-long internship at NBC 4 Washington, working closely alongside seasoned meteorologists Jessica Faith and Doug Kammerer.

“They taught me everything and helped me get my job by building my reel,” Smith says of his mentors, noting the long hours spent perfecting his craft. The bond built during that time was profound; Faith even attended Smith’s graduation, cheering on her mentee as he prepared to follow in her footsteps by starting his career in a Texas market.

When it came time to navigate the job market, Smith’s strategic use of digital platforms made the process seamless. By actively sharing his broadcasting reel on YouTube and LinkedIn, opportunities came directly to him. Now, as he prepares for his new role in Texas, he is immersing himself in the local climate.

“I study every day and learn the Texas weather pattern because it is different from over here on the East Coast,” he explains.

Changing the Climate of Representation

While Smith is proud of his academic and professional milestones, he is acutely aware of the broader cultural impact of his success. In an industry where Black professionals make up only 2% of the workforce, visibility is paramount.

“Black kids don’t want to do weather and, to be honest, that’s not even a thought. So I look forward to opening more doors and getting more kids engaged in the field,” Smith says. “We have to increase that, and with kids seeing you can be a cool dude and still stand on business... I just hope I open some doors for more kids looking to be a science nerd like I am, yet can hang with anybody and connect with anyone.”

Looking ahead, Smith’s ambitions extend far beyond his first on-air role. Over the next decade, he plans to secure a position in a top 10-20 television market, launch his own businesses, and return to academia to teach broadcasting at a local university.

For fellow graduate students navigating their own professional pivots, Smith offers a practical roadmap rooted in balance, curiosity, and decisive action. He emphasizes the importance of managing time effectively, advising students to handle their responsibilities promptly without succumbing to burnout. Beyond striking that crucial balance, Smith encourages a mindset of relentless learning. “Study daily, watch YouTube, read books, ask questions! No question is a dumb question,” he urges. He also highlights the vital role of relationship-building, reminding his peers to network broadly, remain humble, and “always be a sponge.” Ultimately, though, his core philosophy comes down to trusting your preparation and taking that final leap. As he puts it: “Use what you learned and execute! You put all this work in for a reason.”

As he leaves Howard, Smith carries the weight and pride of his hometown with him.

“I’m the first ever Broadcast Meteorologist from Dayton, Ohio. The first African American at that, so this is big for my city and my neighborhood,” he reflects. “Legendary. History. The One! Mastered it at the best HBCU in America.”