Sherrie Smith was born and raised in a traditional Romany Gypsy family, living in North London and Hertfordshire.

Having left school early, and having had both a successful career as a business woman and a community activist, whilst single handily raising two daughters. Sherrie returned to education as a mature student; gaining her BA in Social Science, Community Development and Youth Work from Goldsmiths, University of London, in 2019.

Sherrie’s professional interests include challenging prejudice, racism and bias (both conscious and unconscious) directed at Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, which can act as a barrier to accessing services, as well as widening participation and access to Higher Education for her community. She has a keen interest in empowering youth and women from the community.
She has been also involved in campaigning and activism for a number of years, working in grass-root community organisations, NGOs and community organisation of charitable activities.

She has led projects and training on Roma genocide, Hate crime, palliative care and suicide awareness for Gypsies and Travellers. Sherrie is currently working with Buckinghamshire New University as a research assistant and also with Goldsmiths college of London, Wider Participation department to increase representation of Gypsy, Roma and Travellers in Higher Education. Sherrie is also a founder member of the NGO Gypsies and Travellers Essex; and Report Racism GRT, national hate crime reporting website.
She is currently studying for a post graduate degree in education at Buckinghamshire New University.