Mr. Smith is an acclaimed stage director, playwright,  educator, and radio jazz announcer who has directed over 100 theater productions across the country since 1969.  He has taught acting at UCLA, Florida State, SUNY (Buffalo), and Wayne State, as well as in numerous workshops in diverse settings including the Freedom Theater (Philadelphia), Bill Cobbs Workshops (Los Angeles), the Henry Street Settlement House (New York) and the Attica Correctional Facility.  Mr. Smith founded the Buffalo Black Dinner Theater, the Black Theater Canada and the Buffalo Black Drama Workshop.   At the latter, he enabled teens to create and perform an original theater piece “It’s Easier to Get drugs Than a Job” that toured the country due to is power and impact. He holds an M.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a B.S. from Empire State College, Rochester, NY.  In addition to receiving numerous awards for his artistic and directing excellence, Mr. Smith has a passion for youth and is adept in sharing his own life experiences including growing up in North Philadelphia.