Jada Pinkett Smith touts new book in visit to her alma mater, the Baltimore School for the Arts

BALTIMORE - Baltimore's own Jada Pinkett Smith returned to her roots to speak with students at her alma mater. 

The Baltimore School for the Arts graduate promoted her new book "Worthy" and shared some wisdom about her own journey to current students. 

Despite all the headlines about Pinkett Smith's love life in recent days, Wednesday's conversation was about appreciating the journey, one that started for her in Baltimore. 

Pinkett Smith, with her daughter Willow, entered the ballroom of the Baltimore School for the Arts where she highlighted her new book.

"You know, I have a chapter in my book called 'The University of the Bmore Streets,' because honestly, Baltimore taught me so much, you know, through the sun and the rain, and I'm grateful for it all."

The current students at the Baltimore School for the Arts soaked in every word she shared about her time as a student back in the day. 

Pinkett Smith met and became close friends with classmate and rapper Tupac Shakur. She graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts in 1989.  

"I was so prepared creatively," Pinkett Smith said. "I was allowed to go to dance class. I was in and out of the music class taking singing lessons. I was in the theatre but I was everywhere."

That nostalgia left quite the impression on current students who appreciated her encouragement before they enter the world of arts professionally from Baltimore. 

"Kind of breathtaking, taking a little bit to see someone of that stature in our ballroom," student Jamir Lawson said. "We always hear about big people who go to school, but it's really rare that we see them live in person."

Pouring into the future of the arts, students also received wisdom from Willow, but in the social media generation, Jada gave a key piece of advice for the students to create and sustain a successful career. 

"If you want to have a career in the arts, your skill set has to be tight," Pinkett Smith said.

Pinkett Smith will continue to soak in the hometown love Wednesday night at an event at the Enoch Pratt Free Library.