Today we’d like to introduce you to Byron Smith.
Hi Byron, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in West Baltimore, Maryland, in the historic Pennsylvania Avenue community. Growing up, I learned early the importance of perseverance, education, and giving back. As a proud graduate of Frederick Douglass High School, I continued my journey at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Business. Becoming one of my immediate family first-generation HBCU college graduate was a defining milestone that shaped both my personal and professional journey.
Throughout college, I had the opportunity to intern and work with organizations including IBM, ADP, Visa, and Johns Hopkins. Those experiences exposed me to enterprise computing and cybersecurity while helping me develop the leadership and communication skills that have become just as valuable as my technical expertise.
Today, I serve as a Senior Mainframe Security Engineer and VP at M&T Bank, where I help secure one of the nation’s largest banking mainframe environments. Beyond my corporate career, I’ve been honored to serve as an IBM Champion for IBM Z and IBM Security, speak at national technology conferences, mentor aspiring professionals, serve on nonprofit boards, and build businesses and community initiatives through C2C Hospitality Group, DJ Crazy B, and DreamTeam DJs. Every chapter of my journey has reinforced one belief: success means very little if you don’t use it to create opportunities for others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most meaningful journeys, mine has been anything but smooth. Coming from West Baltimore, I didn’t always have access to the same opportunities or networks as others entering the technology field. I had to learn how to navigate corporate America while staying true to who I am and where I come from.
I’ve experienced setbacks, personal challenges, financial obstacles, and moments where balancing career, entrepreneurship, community leadership, and fatherhood felt overwhelming. There were times when I questioned whether I was doing enough or heading in the right direction. However, every challenge strengthened my resilience and reinforced my commitment to continuous learning and growth.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success isn’t about avoiding adversity it’s about how you respond to it. Those experiences have made me a stronger leader, mentor, and advocate for creating pathways for others who may not see themselves represented in technology or executive leadership.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally, I specialize in enterprise computing, mainframe security, cybersecurity, identity and access management, and systems engineering. My work focuses on protecting data while enabling secure access for thousands of applications and users.
Outside of my day job, I’m passionate about leadership development, diversity in technology, mentorship, philanthropy, and community engagement. As an IBM Champion for IBM Z and IBM Security, I’ve spent years advocating for the future of enterprise computing while helping attract diverse talent into the technology industry. I’ve had the privilege of speaking nationally at conferences such as SHARE and collaborating with professionals across the globe on innovation, inclusion, and workforce development.
I’m also deeply involved in my community through organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Financial Service Professionals, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Associated Black Charities, Pure Potential Enterprises, Forbes Technical Council and several alumni and civic organizations. In addition, I’m managing member of C2C Hospitality Group(C2CHG) alongside my kids, which focuses on hospitality, curated event experiences, vending machines, and business ventures that bring people together, and I’m part of DreamTeam DJs, where I combine my passion for music with creating memorable experiences throughout the DMV and beyond.
What I’m most proud of isn’t any single title or award it’s the impact I’ve been able to make. Whether mentoring the next generation of technologists, organizing community initiatives, supporting nonprofit organizations, or simply helping someone believe they belong in a room they never imagined themselves entering, those moments are what matter most.
What sets me apart is my ability to bridge multiple worlds. I can lead technical conversations with engineers and executives, connect with students exploring STEM careers, organize community events, DJ a celebration, or build partnerships that benefit the community. I’ve never believed in being limited to one lane, and I think that authenticity allows me to connect with people from all walks of life.
As for DJ Crazy B, below you see a complex array of location and event performances, experienced with blended broad music genres for a diverse audience.
Knowledge of the most recent and advanced music technologies like Pro tools, Traktor, Serato Scratch/Itch/DJ & DJ Intro, Vinyls, CDJ’s, Controller’s.
Below are some domestic events by location:
Baltimore, MD:
UMES Baltimore Alumni Chapter CrabFeast
Charm City Alphas “Alpha Preakness”
Charm City Alphas “MD All Star Cookout”
A Party Life CIAA StaDAYium Collection: Baltimore Day Party @ M&T Bank Stadium
Sip and Print events at The Kreative Print Shop
M&T Bank African American Resource Group(AARG) Summer Block Party
Lifebridge Health, Sinai Hospital, Mayor Catherine Pugh, CFYS Inc & KaBoom “Build a Playground”
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Annual Conference at Baltimore Hilton
Boys & Girls Club (Western District) Official DJ for all events
Lifebridge Health Annual Award Gala
YMCA “Parkland Paradise” Block Party
Pure Potential Enterprises “S.A.Y.L.” Girls Conference
Former Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake & Baltimore City Police “National Night Out”
Western High School Jr. & Sr. Proms
Safari Night Club
9Five Kitchen & Bar
Select Lounge
Columbia & Laurel, MD::
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter March For Babies Happy Hour at Mad Cow Grill
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter ONE NINE fellowship at The HideOut
Brotherhood Smoke with BrandyStone at Tobacco Leaf
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter Cold Summer Cookout at Cedar Lane Park
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Iota Lambda Omega Pearl Foundation Incorporated Youth Leadership Summit
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter MLK Scholarship Breakfast and honoring Governor Wes Moore, Anglea Alsobrooks, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball
Bowie, MD:
HBCU Night at Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys at Party HQ
Jingle & Mingle Toy Drive at Center Pocket Cafe Billiards (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter and Pi Upsilon Lambda Chapter) & Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Fort Washington Alumnae chapter
Frederick, MD:
U.S. Marine Corp(Frederick MD Barrack) Birthday Ball
Atlanta, GA:
Rock The Runway Celebrity Charity Fashion Show at The W Hotel
New York, NY:
French Tuesdays NYE The Raines Law Room & The Shakespeare Room @ The William (Midtown)
NY Fashion Week “Vibrant India” show for GQ,Vogue Italia, Huffington Post Celebrity Stylist James R. Sanders at (Pier 59, Midtown)
Hip Hop Film Festival @ National Black Theater (Harlem)
Bellavita Marketing Company Yogalates event Stonehenge Rooftop
The Bowery Bond Boutique Launch Party (Brooklyn)
DJ New York Agency private events for clients in Midtown & Manhattan
BUNCH Magazine Premiere of Seeking the Web series (WXYZ Bar, Harlem)
Fashion Week Breast Cancer Event (Metropolitan Pavilion, Manhattan)
Fashion Week TAB NYC International Fashion Show (The BIG Space, Financial District)
William Quigley & Ben Moon “Skrapper Style” Art & Fashion Show(East Hamptons)
Girls Night Out @ Katra Lounge(Soho)
Happy Hour @Zuma (Midtown)
The Alumni Group Dirty South Brunch & Day Party @ SpoonFed (Midtown)
The Alumni Group Midtown Madness Brunch ‘& Day Party @ Soho Park (Midtown)
The Alumni Group Sauced In The City Brunch & Day Party @ La Avendia (Harlem)
Washington DC:
PHRIST Brunch at Brooklyn Restaurant for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Founders Day Weekend
CBC OLA at The Park for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated CBC Weekend
MLB All Star Weekend (Matt Kemp from LA Dodgers & Recording Artist Quincy Brown) at RoseBar
Verizon Woman Of the World(WOW) Conference
HBCU Alumni Weekend at RoseBar
Ellsworth Place Mall Back to See Fashion Show
New Belgium Brewing Company’s “Tour De Fat Beer & Music Festival”
DC Democratic Party & DC Mayor Muriel Bowser Resistance Summer Cookout
Fox 5 “Good Day DC” Morning show Live Super Bowl 51 Party
Fox 5 DC “ZipTrip” Travel DJ
Models Inc. “Runway Fusion” Fashion Show (w/America’s Next Top Model “Cory Wade”) at Arena Stage
DC Fashion Week “Fashion Industry Networking Mixer” at Dirty Martini
Brixton Dance Bar, Black Whiskey & several Bars, Clubs and Lounges in the DC area
Tombs Bar (Georgetown University)
The Front Page Dance/Bar
Club Heaven & Hell @ Adams Morgan
Lucky Bar
Chinese Disco Sports Bar
The Park at Fourteenth
Opera Club
Rosebar Lounge
Mirrors Lounge
Gryphon Club
Universities & Colleges:
University of Maryland Eastern Shore:
Hawk Radio Online DJ
Official DJ for UMES Homecoming & Spring Fest Events
MANRRS & USDA agriculture student Conference
DJ for UMES Alumni Association Events (DMV Chapters) (Varies Locations in DMV & NYC)
MEAC Basketball Tournament UMES Alumni Hospitality Suites (Norfolk, VA)
DJ for Organizational and campus wide events:
STAR Status Breast Cancer “Pump Step & Dance”
STAR Status All Black Gala
President Dr.Julete Bell Welcome back Week Faculty & Staff Cookout
Former VP of Academic Affairs Dr. Ronnie Holden Retirement Party
Princess Anne Festival
SGA Welcome Back Week
Delaware State University:
Delaware State University Homecoming Party’s (Symrna,DE)
MEAC Basketball Tournament DSU Alumni Hospitality Suite(Norfolk, VA)
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, District Conference at Delaware State University
Wilberforce University:
Greater Baltimore Alumni Chapter Annual Brunch & Day Party (Baltimore, MD)
Coppin State University:
MEAC Basketball Tournament Coppin State Alumni Hospitality Suite( Norfolk, VA)
North Carolina A&T University:
A Party Life & Kwagi Heath RL Experience GHOE Night Party @ Marriott Hotel
A Party Life & RL Experience GHOE Tailgate Party @ NC A&T State University
Grits & Biscuits
United States Marine Corp(UMSC):
Sacramento, CA:
U.S. Marine Corp I & I(Sacramento Barrack) Birthday Ball
Lincoln, CA:
U.S. Marine Corp (Lincoln, CA Barrack) Birthday Ball
Reno, NV:
U.S. Marine Corp (Reno, NV Barrack) Birthday Ball
International:
Panama:
The Labor Day Takeova at RIU Playa Blanca
Cancun:
The Labor Day Takeova at RIU Palace Peninsula
Antigua:
The Labor Day Takeova at Royalton Resort and Spa Hotel
Aruba:
The Labor Day Takeova at RIU Palace Antillas Hotel
Antigua:
The Labor Day Takeova at Royalton CHIC Hotel
Puerto Vallarta:
The Labor Day Takeova at RIU Palace Pacifico Hotel
What are your plans for the future?
The future is incredibly exciting. Professionally, I’m continuing to pursue executive leadership opportunities in cybersecurity and enterprise technology while expanding my influence as a thought leader in mainframe security, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.
I’m focused on fatherhood, growing our C2C Hospitality Group into a recognized brand through hospitality experiences, vending machines, strategic partnerships, and business development. I’m also expanding my philanthropic efforts by establishing an endowed scholarship at my alma mater, UMES, supporting organizations like March of Dimes, and continuing to invest in initiatives that create opportunities for future generations.
Personally, my greatest motivation will always be my family. Everything I build is centered around creating a legacy that my children and others who look like them can be proud of. I want to continue proving that you don’t have to choose between being successful in your career, serving your community, being present for your family, and pursuing your passions. My goal is to leave every space better than I found it while inspiring others to dream bigger than they ever imagined possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/tschq
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djcrazyb1/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byronsmith21
