Education
Smokes was born in Syracuse, New York, and graduated from Nottingham High School. She attended the University of Buffalo, and then lived in Albany for a time before taking a job with the Herald Journal in 1978.
Smokes was born in Syracuse, New York, and graduated from Nottingham High School. She attended the University of Buffalo, and then lived in Albany for a time before taking a job with the Herald Journal in 1978.
Saundra was a free-lance journalist for 3.5 years and a former employee of The Post-Standard for more than 30 years. Through her column she shared her opinions about topics that affect every human being. These topics included but were not limited to race relations, politics, poverty, health, and popular culture.
In November 1992, she wrote a column on the trial of police officers involved in the beating of Los Angeles motorist Rodney King that was picked up by newspapers nationwide.
She was a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, inducted into the Syracuse Press Club Wall of Distinction, and was a member of the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company.