Elise Smith, Co-Founder & CEO of Praxis Labs, was recently named to TIME’s prestigious 2025 “The Closers” list, an honor celebrating the impactful leaders shaping the future. Expressing deep gratitude, Smith thanked TIME, Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME, Sadé Muhammad, Chief Marketing & Impact Officer at TIME, and Sam Jacobs, Editor-in-Chief of TIME, for the recognition. She joined an extraordinary group of individuals, including Sara Sidner, Niecy Nash, Emily Anadu, Abby Phillip, Jotaka Eaddy, and Gabby Thomas, who are all known for their trailblazing work and unwavering commitment to their causes.
The recognition was celebrated at TIME’s 2025 The Closers Impact Dinner held in New York City last week, where Smith had the opportunity to engage in a powerful conversation on racial equity. Together with notable figures like La June Montgomery Tabron, President & CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Dr. David Johns, CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, and Elaine Welteroth, Journalist and Founder of birthFUND, Smith participated in the discussion aptly titled Bridging the Divide: Strategies for Achieving Racial Equity. This moment of unity and exchange brought forth critical insights, as the leaders shared their truths and strategies for advancing racial justice in an ever-evolving world.
The recognition was celebrated at TIME’s 2025 The Closers Impact Dinner held in New York City last week, where Smith had the opportunity to engage in a powerful conversation on racial equity. Together with notable figures like La June Montgomery Tabron, President & CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Dr. David Johns, CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, and Elaine Welteroth, Journalist and Founder of birthFUND, Smith participated in the discussion aptly titled Bridging the Divide: Strategies for Achieving Racial Equity. This moment of unity and exchange brought forth critical insights, as the leaders shared their truths and strategies for advancing racial justice in an ever-evolving world.
During the dinner, Colman Domingo, also featured on the 2025 list, delivered an impactful speech, quoting an excerpt from James Baldwin’s Nothing Personal essay, which deeply resonated with Smith and others in the room. The excerpt, which highlights the unchanging nature of progress and the responsibility to future generations, encapsulated the evening’s theme of enduring commitment to change:
“For nothing is fixed, forever and forever and forever, it is not fixed; the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock. Generations do not cease to be born, and we are responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have.”
The recognition was celebrated at TIME’s 2025 The Closers Impact Dinner held in New York City last week, where Smith had the opportunity to engage in a powerful conversation on racial equity. Together with notable figures like La June Montgomery Tabron, President & CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Dr. David Johns, CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, and Elaine Welteroth, Journalist and Founder of birthFUND, Smith participated in the discussion aptly titled Bridging the Divide: Strategies for Achieving Racial Equity. This moment of unity and exchange brought forth critical insights, as the leaders shared their truths and strategies for advancing racial justice in an ever-evolving world.
During the dinner, Colman Domingo, also featured on the 2025 list, delivered an impactful speech, quoting an excerpt from James Baldwin’s Nothing Personal essay, which deeply resonated with Smith and others in the room. The excerpt, which highlights the unchanging nature of progress and the responsibility to future generations, encapsulated the evening’s theme of enduring commitment to change:
“For nothing is fixed, forever and forever and forever, it is not fixed; the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock. Generations do not cease to be born, and we are responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have.”
The event was a moment of reflection, shared by those committed to uplifting marginalized communities and empowering future generations. Smith, alongside other honorees, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to these vital conversations and pledged to continue their efforts for racial equity and societal change.
