Dr. Gerald K. Smith was born July 19, 1941 to the union of the late Seynoia and Augustus C. Smith Sr. in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gerald always spoke of the emphasis that was placed on education as well as concern for others while he was growing up. Headed to college with his mother’s famous fried chicken and dinner in a basket, he knew that his parents held high expectations for him. Upon graduation from high school, Gerald continued his education and received his Bachelor of Science degree in history and government from Ohio University, a Masters degree in Education from Xavier University, a Master of Arts degree in Sociology and Urban Affairs from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Doctorate of Administration and Supervision from Wayne State University.
Gerald married the love of his life, Ann Claudia Brothers, on August 9, 1969. After marriage, they relocated to Detroit, Michigan. Gerald and Ann had one son, Kevin Allen. Gerald was a man who led by example and was a positive role model. In 1978, Gerald and several of his male friends formed the “Father and Son Group” as a means to mentor, teach and develop their sons into responsible men. They proceeded to take their young sons camping, fishing, traveling and other activities that showed their youngsters how to take a good path to manhood that included a love for community and friends. The group was recognized by the Detroit News for its diligent work and commitment to the nurturing and upbringing of their sons.
Gerald K. Smith loved people and was always genuinely concerned for the welfare of others. He was a visionary, who saw the world as it should be, not as it is, and committed his life to substantive change. Gerald demonstrated his commitment by leaving the corporate world – where he worked for Proctor and Gamble and transitioned to work with Family and Neighborhood Services of Western Wayne County. He transitioned as Executive Director, of his beloved Franklin Wright Settlement in 1975. From the beginning, as a roving street worker in his native Cincinnati, to corporate board rooms in 2008, he was very deliberate in his advocacy for children and families. Gerald understood the importance of coalitions, and he was a master at effecting positive change, particularly in a region that has rarely seen such investments. Gerald possessed the important qualities of a visionary leader, but used pragmatism to understand how to best implement his vision.
Gerald’s leadership and advocacy was intrinsic and instrumental in creating positive change for young people and their families in the city of Detroit. He was invited to join several boards and continued his tenure with several of these for over 20 years. Gerald has been involved in numerous civic, corporate and community boards that have influenced and evidenced great change in the lives of young people. He was a member of New Detroit, where he served for over 20 years and was a major force in developing policy that brought significant improvements to education for young people in the City. Gerald’s advocacy for public education led to his appointment by Mayor Dennis Archer as a member of the Detroit Public Schools’ Board of Education – where he was elected Vice Chair of the Board from 2000- 2005.
Gerald understood that to improve the lives of young people one must address the whole child. He served on the United Way Community Services Board of Directors, advocating for programs ranging from early childhood and youth development efforts to initiatives for senior citizens, neighborhood development and abused children, the Health Alliance Plan (HAP), advocating for preventative healthcare for children and families and as President of the National Association of Black Social Workers advocating for the adoption of black youth.
As a visionary, Gerald focused on a two track process for advocating for change while actively creating change. He was successful because of his ability to garner support and use his personal philosophy to positively impact the entire organization while remaining humble and supportive. He was well known for encouraging others and telling them “we can do this” and “we can do better than this”… His rich history of working in the area of youth development, in one of the lowest income neighborhoods in Detroit (the Northern High School area) is becoming a model for others to follow in youth development. In 1999, Gerald’s vision was realized through the formation of the Detroit Youth Foundation as it emerged from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the opening of YouthVille Detroit in October 2005.
Gerald’s lifelong work can best be summarized by the national award winning paper written by Sara Lockridge-Steckel, his former summer intern from Harvard University:
Gerald’s life work has played a pivotal role not only in shaping the Detroit Youth Foundation, but in impacting the lives of the many children affected by YouthVille Detroit. Furthermore, it was Gerald’s ability to stay positive and remain focused that really pushed YouthVille Detroit to become a reality.
What is most impressive, though, about Gerald’s leadership was his ability to turn such a grand, long-term vision into something tangible and concrete. Even in the face of adversity or in an unsupportive climate, Gerald’s leadership teaches us all to focus on the goal, remain positive and strive to make our dreams a reality.
Gerald’s good work did not go unnoticed. Dr. Smith has received numerous awards and honors for his community and civic contributions. Most notably, Gerald was named as a Man of Excellence by the Michigan Chronicle in 2008. In 2007, he received an Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National Association of Black Social Workers and in 2006, he was named as one of Detroit’s Most Powerful people by Crain’s Detroit Business and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Wayne State University. Gerald was an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and was a founding member of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter in Ohio. He was also a member of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church.
On Saturday, August 30, 2008, Gerald K. Smith, loving husband, father and grandfather departed his earthly life after a short illness. He leaves to celebrate his life and to cherish his memory, a devoted and loving wife of 39 years, Ann (Brothers) Smith, a devoted son, Kevin Allen, daughter-in-law Reva (Orr), granddaughter Sydney Payton, grandson Gerald Dylan, sister-in-law Barbara Jean Price, brother-in-law Fontaine Brothers (Mary), nephews, nieces, cousins and a long list of mentees and devoted loyal friends.