Organizing Heroes: Frank Smith Jr.

Underdogs United

In the third installment of "Underdogs United," Ben MacConnell interviews Frank Smith Jr., a civil rights organizer and the founder and director of the African American Civil War Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.

Smith recounts his organizing career, beginning with his first "conscious moment" as a child when he viewed pictures of Emmett Till's body being pulled from the river in Jet magazine. He describes his frustration with local business leaders who sold out the college students leading integration efforts in Atlanta, and finally, his decision to join Bob Moses and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to build power in Mississippi's 'Black Belt' by registering African-Americans to vote.

His tales of courage and his ability to laugh—literally—at terrorism demonstrate that true heroism lies not in the pursuit of ease, but in the unwavering resolve found within when things get tough.
For more on the tremendous history of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC): https://snccdigital.org/.
To learn more or plan a visit to the African-American Civil War Memorial Museum: https://afroamcivilwar.org/
Permission has been granted to use all music in this podcast including:
Song: Waiting Room from album: 13 Songs; written and produced by Fugazi, Dischord Records, released 1988
Song: Merchandise from album: Repeater, written and produced by Fugazi, Dischord Records, released 1990
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/at-dawn; License code: WJJSYCE7FEDDVDOD

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/prisms; License code: C1AYWH9MNYRVUZDQ