Caprice Smith is an award-winning life and business coach, and author. Her newly released book, "Uncuffed~Behind My Smile", tells of her own experience with child abuse, dating and domestic violence. As a seasoned police detective, she has investigated hundreds of cases involving rapes, sexual assaults, and domestic violence. Caprice also serves as host of "Uncuffed” with Coach Caprice Smith, a new show which airs every Saturday on the MWHY (May We Help You) Radio Network, which focuses on helping women to find and understand their purpose for achieving greatness. She is the founder of SharperMinds Consultants, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, that addresses the issues involving dating and domestic violence, and bullying among teens and young adults. SharperMinds Consultants was named a 2010 Top 100 Minority Business in the Mid-Atlantic Region and one of Baltimore's Best Organizations.
Copa: Where did you grow up?
Caprice: In Mount Winans, a small neighborhood in southern Baltimore City. At that time, the streets were made of dirt. There were fresh apple trees and honeysuckle bushes. I lived on the last street in the neighborhood. It was like an oasis.
Caprice: In Mount Winans, a small neighborhood in southern Baltimore City. At that time, the streets were made of dirt. There were fresh apple trees and honeysuckle bushes. I lived on the last street in the neighborhood. It was like an oasis.
Copa: Where did you attend High School?
Caprice: Baltimore City College, a highly regarded high school that required tests and high grades for admittance. In order to stay enrolled, I had to work hard and then I graduated.
Caprice: Baltimore City College, a highly regarded high school that required tests and high grades for admittance. In order to stay enrolled, I had to work hard and then I graduated.
Copa: Did you always have this special love and concern for people and where did it come from?
Caprice: Yes, after watching my mother endure so much abuse, it nurtured a very strong sense in me to be protective of others and sincerely care for their needs.
Caprice: Yes, after watching my mother endure so much abuse, it nurtured a very strong sense in me to be protective of others and sincerely care for their needs.
Copa: When did you decide to be a Police Officer?
Caprice: My mother suggested that I join the force to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program, which I did. In fact, and in time, I obtained my Master’s Degree. Watching other young ladies in the neighborhood become correctional officers also inspired me. Actually, one of my dear cousins was a mentor, and like my mother, showed me that I can be anything.
Caprice: My mother suggested that I join the force to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program, which I did. In fact, and in time, I obtained my Master’s Degree. Watching other young ladies in the neighborhood become correctional officers also inspired me. Actually, one of my dear cousins was a mentor, and like my mother, showed me that I can be anything.
Copa: How did it feel when you became a detective and what was the major difference for being an officer?
Caprice: Awesome, it felt like I had made real strides. I was happy working on patrol, but a sergeant encouraged me to try to become a detective. I interviewed and was selected. The detective unit was quite different. It had grown from having only up to two detectives devoted to investigating Robberies, Missing Persons and "Family Crimes" to now include a major, lieutenant, two sergeants and several detectives. I celebrate that the community embraces the seriousness of dating violence, domestic violence, child abuse, and sex offenses.
Caprice: Awesome, it felt like I had made real strides. I was happy working on patrol, but a sergeant encouraged me to try to become a detective. I interviewed and was selected. The detective unit was quite different. It had grown from having only up to two detectives devoted to investigating Robberies, Missing Persons and "Family Crimes" to now include a major, lieutenant, two sergeants and several detectives. I celebrate that the community embraces the seriousness of dating violence, domestic violence, child abuse, and sex offenses.
Copa: Are you still in contact with individuals who you met with out on the street earlier in your career, and do all of them need much help now?
Caprice: No, I usually don't have much contact with them. However, one lady in particular followed up with me to share that I was the reason that she became a police officer. Also she had mentioned that she liked the way I carried myself. Yes! That was, and is, my purpose, to empower other women.
Caprice: No, I usually don't have much contact with them. However, one lady in particular followed up with me to share that I was the reason that she became a police officer. Also she had mentioned that she liked the way I carried myself. Yes! That was, and is, my purpose, to empower other women.
Copa: When did you acquire the idea to start being a life coach?
Caprice: After launching my non-profit 501(C)(3), SharperMinds: the mission of the organization is meant to educate teens and their families. I have met many women who share the same urge. The urge that will not allow you to rest until your voice is heard. They looked to me for leadership and direction, wanting to know how I did it…. how I discovered and served my purpose. When I launched my coaching business, many women showed up for direction. I needed to create clear boundaries and systems for those people that I was supposed to help.
Caprice: After launching my non-profit 501(C)(3), SharperMinds: the mission of the organization is meant to educate teens and their families. I have met many women who share the same urge. The urge that will not allow you to rest until your voice is heard. They looked to me for leadership and direction, wanting to know how I did it…. how I discovered and served my purpose. When I launched my coaching business, many women showed up for direction. I needed to create clear boundaries and systems for those people that I was supposed to help.
Copa: Would you share with us the type of events, meetings, seminars and symposiums you have, and how do they help make a difference?
Caprice: Each year, we host an annual symposium on Dating and Domestic Violence, and Inter-Personal Relationships in October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. This year, we are hosting two symposiums: one was recently held in Calvert County, Maryland in January; the second symposium will be held in October in Baltimore County. As far as conferences and events under my coaching business, these events are virtual-based or in-person training. I currently have an upcoming tele-seminar called "Uncuffed ~ Behind My Smile", launching in February.
Caprice: Each year, we host an annual symposium on Dating and Domestic Violence, and Inter-Personal Relationships in October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. This year, we are hosting two symposiums: one was recently held in Calvert County, Maryland in January; the second symposium will be held in October in Baltimore County. As far as conferences and events under my coaching business, these events are virtual-based or in-person training. I currently have an upcoming tele-seminar called "Uncuffed ~ Behind My Smile", launching in February.
Copa: What made you finally decide to write a book?
Caprice: I had reached a point in my life, where I had completed the self-work…was walking in my full greatness, but there was one thing left to do and that was to truly living uncuffed: void of the weight of being a survivor carries. I envisioned the life that I wanted and held true to my dreams, but still needed to tell my story. I needed to tell others so that they too could live uncuffed, be truly happy, and welcome love and abundance.
Caprice: I had reached a point in my life, where I had completed the self-work…was walking in my full greatness, but there was one thing left to do and that was to truly living uncuffed: void of the weight of being a survivor carries. I envisioned the life that I wanted and held true to my dreams, but still needed to tell my story. I needed to tell others so that they too could live uncuffed, be truly happy, and welcome love and abundance.
Copa: When will your next book be out and what will it most likely be about?
Caprice: My third book is well on its way. It is about...well, I don't want to give it all away. I will just say stay tuned, because “Uncuffed~Behind My Smile" was just a glimpse. This book has received five-star ratings and readers, men and women, constantly tell me that they can't put it down. Believe me you want to read this book, and the next one and the one after that!
Caprice: My third book is well on its way. It is about...well, I don't want to give it all away. I will just say stay tuned, because “Uncuffed~Behind My Smile" was just a glimpse. This book has received five-star ratings and readers, men and women, constantly tell me that they can't put it down. Believe me you want to read this book, and the next one and the one after that!
Copa: Do you plan on taking all of this on the road to help more individuals in other areas?
Caprice: Of course, my team and I are collaborating for the 2014-2015 Book Tour and booking public appearances all over the DMV and as far as Florida. In fact, I will be highlighting my “Uncuffed Living” when I compete in the Mrs. Corporate America Pageant in February 2014. Last year, I won 1st runner up…you have got to read what happens when they called my name.
Caprice: Of course, my team and I are collaborating for the 2014-2015 Book Tour and booking public appearances all over the DMV and as far as Florida. In fact, I will be highlighting my “Uncuffed Living” when I compete in the Mrs. Corporate America Pageant in February 2014. Last year, I won 1st runner up…you have got to read what happens when they called my name.
Copa: Television, will it be the next medium?
Caprice: I have been invited to participate in several projects, but have learned to be very selective about them. After all, there is only one Uncuffed Living Expert and that is me. I would not want anything to stand in the way of my platform, my message, or my purpose. Even if that means I humble myself and turn down projects so that I can continue to help others. To answer the questions, let's just say join the mailing list, my public appearances happen so quickly, I hardly have time to tweet about them.
Caprice: I have been invited to participate in several projects, but have learned to be very selective about them. After all, there is only one Uncuffed Living Expert and that is me. I would not want anything to stand in the way of my platform, my message, or my purpose. Even if that means I humble myself and turn down projects so that I can continue to help others. To answer the questions, let's just say join the mailing list, my public appearances happen so quickly, I hardly have time to tweet about them.
Copa: What is your opinion about the state of teenagers today, and is there really a bright light on the horizon?
Caprice: All is not lost. In a lot of ways they are mirroring what they have been taught: sexual freedom, independence, instant gratification, and democracy. When I was raised, you covered your knees with your skirts, relied on your parents’ attitude toward sexuality to help you understand certain cues and messages, actually earned you rewards but dared voice your opinion. Things are just very different. We must learn to be more transparent with our teens. They see through the inauthenticity. Overall there is a bright light, we just have to continue to highlight good examples, instead of making poor decisions and then turning to our teens and expect them to understand that they should do as we say and not as we do. Really, we put "Real Housewives" on television and then say don't bully. We pay close to $300 for shoes and sneakers and then say value money. We don't even show up for PTA meetings, but expect our youth to value education. If I were them, I would be confused as well. There is a break down in several systems across the board. So before we can help our teens, let's check ourselves first.
Caprice: All is not lost. In a lot of ways they are mirroring what they have been taught: sexual freedom, independence, instant gratification, and democracy. When I was raised, you covered your knees with your skirts, relied on your parents’ attitude toward sexuality to help you understand certain cues and messages, actually earned you rewards but dared voice your opinion. Things are just very different. We must learn to be more transparent with our teens. They see through the inauthenticity. Overall there is a bright light, we just have to continue to highlight good examples, instead of making poor decisions and then turning to our teens and expect them to understand that they should do as we say and not as we do. Really, we put "Real Housewives" on television and then say don't bully. We pay close to $300 for shoes and sneakers and then say value money. We don't even show up for PTA meetings, but expect our youth to value education. If I were them, I would be confused as well. There is a break down in several systems across the board. So before we can help our teens, let's check ourselves first.
