Location: AC.3.A.3.4.3 - AC.3.A.3.5.2
Dr. Charles Ullman Smith (1926–2015) was a distinguished sociologist, educator, and civil rights leader who spent nearly five decades at Florida A&M University. He earned his Ph.D. in sociology from Washington State University, becoming one of the first African Americans to achieve this distinction at the time.
During his career at FAMU, Smith served as chairman of the Department of Sociology, director of graduate studies, and dean of graduate studies, while also publishing numerous scholarly works. Beyond academia, he was an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement, including involvement in the 1956 Tallahassee Bus Boycott and the 1960 sit-ins.
Dr. Smith’s legacy reflects a lifelong commitment to education, social justice, and community leadership, making him a key figure in both higher education and the fight for civil rights in Florida.
https://floridacivilrightsmuseum.org/exhibition/they-made-a-difference-part-2/charles-u-smith-ph-d/