Brencis D. Smith is a visionary, results-driven leader dedicated to strengthening the City of Laurel. First elected to the City Council in 2019 and re-elected in 2021 serving as Council President from 2021 to 2023—Councilman Smith returned after a term away, during which he ran for Mayor in 2023. In November 2025, he was re-elected as At-Large Councilmember. For the third time, his colleagues selected him to serve as Council President, a responsibility he holds with gratitude and dedication.
Before serving on the Council, Councilman Smith was appointed to Laurel’s Homelessness Task Force, where he served as Co-Vice Chair and helped develop the plans for the Craig A. Moe Laurel Multiservice Center. As Councilmember and Council President, he brought that vision to life, securing the funding necessary to open its doors and create a lasting community impact.
During his tenure, Councilman Smith helped lead Laurel through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He voted to set aside $250,000 to support families in need and implemented grants for local businesses to sustain operations, demonstrating his commitment to both the community’s most vulnerable residents and its economic vitality.
From 2019 to 2023, including his tenure as Council President, he championed bold, forward-thinking initiatives such as Laurel’s plastic bag ban, the launch of the City’s organics recycling program, and “No Mow April” to protect pollinators. He strengthened worker protections, modernized the City’s Ethics Code, established new advisory boards, and advanced balanced budgets that invested in neighborhoods, public safety, and essential services.
A committed community-builder, Councilman Smith spearheaded Laurel’s first Afro-Caribbean Festival, which drew approximately 5,000 attendees. He created the framework for the City’s Juneteenth celebration, organized toy drives, and senior gift drives, and supported the growth of the Laurel Farmers Market. His vision emphasizes making Main Street and local shopping plazas central attractions while developing programs that engage residents and prioritize safety.
In addition to public service, Councilman Smith has more than a decade of experience in finance and accounting. For the past six years, he has worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for engineering consulting firms in the transportation industry, specializing in budgeting, forecasting, and large-scale project financial management.
A first-generation American of Jamaican descent, Councilman Smith was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. He moved to Maryland in 2012 to continue his higher education, after his father passed away from gastrointestinal cancer. He attended Washington Adventist University, earning a B.S. in Organizational Management. A Christian and Seventh-day Adventist, he previously served as minister of music and musician at his home church in Connecticut and served as youth choir director and musician at his church in Washington, D.C.
With proven leadership, distinguished service, and strong partnerships across county and state government, Councilman Brencis D. Smith is committed to advancing policies that strengthen neighborhoods, uplift families, and secure a vibrant, inclusive future for Laurel.
Email: bsmith@laurel.md.us
Telephone: 301-725-5300 ext. 2120
