Background
Smith was born in Montclair, New Jersey.
Smith was born in Montclair, New Jersey.
After earning a bachelor"s degree at Virginia Union University in 1953 and a master"s degree from Drew University in 1954, he came to Chicago in the late 1950s to attend Bethany Theological Seminary, then located outside the city. From 1984 to 1999 he served as president of Chicago Theological Seminary, and from 1979 to 1982, he held membership on the Chicago school board.