Rudy Smith
Rudy Smith (January 6, 1945 – December 5, 2019) was an American journalist and photographer known for his contributions to documenting life in Nebraska, particularly within the black community. He was the first black graduate of Omaha University's (later University of Nebraska at Omaha) communications school and later became its first black faculty member.[1] He had a 45-year career at the Omaha World-Herald, where he was its first black photographer.[2] Through his photojournalism, he showed everyday life in Omaha while also being an advocating for civil rights.
Early life and education[edit]
Rudy Smith was born on January 6, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a broom closet in a hospital.[1] His mother, Lovely, had moved from Jim Crow Georgia to Philadelphia during World War II.
Lovely moved the family to Omaha in 1951.[1] Rudy has lived in Omaha since age 6.[3] With seven siblings, he lived in a small house on 19th and Paul Street. He attended Central High School in Omaha and graduated in 1963. Rudy began his journey in journalism at the age of 12 when he became a paperboy for Omaha's African American weekly newspaper, the Omaha Star. During this time, he formed a close bond with the newspaper's founder, Mildred D. Brown.[2] In 1969, Rudy became the first black graduate of the communications school at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. With a BA degree in journalism.[1] Rudy, alongside NAACP Youth Council President Miss Patti Murrell, demands transparency from Mayor A. W. Sorensen on police use of chemical spray and riot guns during Omaha disturbances.[4] Rudy led efforts as an NAACP Youth Council leader and UNO student senate member to establish a black studies department at UNO. Influenced by figures like Chrisman and publications like The Black Scholar, Rudy and fellow activists paved the way for UNO's black studies program, established in 1971.[5]
Career[edit]
Rudy Smith joined the Omaha World-Herald in 1963, where he worked for 45 years, until his retirement in 2008.[1][2] He photographed news events and diverse subjects, from sports to politics to music. In 1968, he covered Robert Kennedy's visit to North Omaha. But he is best known for his coverage of the civil rights movement in Omaha, including protests, riots and marches.[1] Famous musician such as Gladys Knight, B.B.King, Calvin Keys, Lois "Lady Mac" McMorris, Wali Ali, Eugene "Booker" McDaniels.[1] In 1971, he put together a collection called "Black is Me," which was featured in the Omaha World-Herald. Rudy also teamed up with writer Harold Cowan to bring attention to poverty in Omaha.[1]
Rudy served on the Board of Directors for the Great Plains Black History Museum as the Board President from 2015-2019.[6] Rudy is a long-time member of Salem Baptist Church; he helped launch a retirement home and the Salem Food Pantry.[1][6]
His photos appeared in national publications like Newsweek, Time, Look, Ebony, and Sports Illustrated. His photos were exhibited throughout the country. He died at age 74 in Omaha in 2019.[1]
Personal[edit]
Rudy met Llana Jones in high school. Rudy and Llana married in 1967. They have three children - Rudy Jr., Shannon and Quiana.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Smith, Rudy (2020). The Black experience through the lens of Rudy Smith (First ed.). Omaha, NE: Omaha World-Herald. ISBN 978-1-7322317-9-5. OCLC 1141736532.
- ^ a b c Forss, Amy Helene (2013). Black print with a white carnation: Mildred Brown and the Omaha star newspaper, 1938 - 1989. Women in the West. Lincoln: Univ. of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0-8032-4954-7.
- ^ Congress, United States (2008). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office.
- ^ Anonymous (1968-05-01). "Freedom news". The Crisis. 75 (5): 172.
- ^ Biga, Leo Adam (2006). "Letting 1,000 Flowers Bloom: Robert Chrisman and the Mission of The Black Scholar". The Black Scholar. 36 (2/3): 2–6. doi:10.1080/00064246.2006.11413352. ISSN 0006-4246. JSTOR 41069200.
- ^ a b "Rudy Smith". Great Plains Black History Museum. 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2024-04-08.