Kelly Miller Smith facts for kids

Kelly Miller Smith Sr. (born October 28, 1920 – died June 3, 1984) was an important Baptist preacher and writer. He was also a strong leader in the Civil Rights Movement. This movement worked to end unfair treatment and segregation for African Americans in the United States. Smith lived and worked in Nashville, Tennessee.

Early Life and Education

Kelly Miller Smith was born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. This was a special town where only Black people lived. He went to college at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He studied both music and religion there. Later, he earned another degree from Howard University in 1945. This degree was in religion, preparing him to be a minister.

Leading the Fight for Civil Rights

Moving to Nashville

In 1951, Smith moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He became the pastor of the First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill. He led this church until he passed away in 1984.

Standing Up for Change

Kelly Miller Smith became a key leader in Nashville's Civil Rights Movement. In 1956, he became the president of the Nashville branch of the NAACP. The NAACP is a group that works for equal rights for Black people.

In 1958, he started a new group called the Nashville Christian Leadership Council (NCLC). This group helped organize important protests.

The Nashville Sit-ins

Through the NCLC, Smith helped plan the Nashville sit-ins. These were peaceful protests where students and activists sat at lunch counters. At that time, many restaurants would not serve Black people. The protesters sat at these counters and refused to leave. They faced many challenges, but their actions worked! The sit-ins successfully ended racial segregation at lunch counters in Nashville. This meant Black people could now eat at the same counters as everyone else.

Teaching at Vanderbilt University

In 1969, Smith started working at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School. He became an assistant dean. He was the first African American to be a faculty member at that school. This was a big step forward for equality.

Family and Passing

Kelly Miller Smith was married to Alice Clark Smith. They had four children: Joy Ardelia, Adena Modesta, Valerie Lin, and Kelly Miller Smith Jr. They also raised a foster daughter named Dorothy Jean Springfield.

Kelly Miller Smith passed away from cancer on June 3, 1984. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Nashville.

Remembering Kelly Miller Smith

Kelly Miller Smith's work for civil rights and his leadership are still remembered today.

• Several places in Nashville are named after him, like the Kelly Miller Smith Memorial Bridge and Kelly Smith Towers.
• Vanderbilt University created the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies in his honor. This institute continues his work in theology and social justice.
• His sermons, letters, and music are kept at the Vanderbilt Library. They are part of the Kelly Miller Smith Papers.
• In July 2021, a street in Nashville was renamed Kelly Miller Smith Way.

Selected Writings

• Microphone Messages (1947)
• A Doorway to Bible Appreciation (1948)