Skip to content

Biography · Civil Rights

Rudy Smith

1945–2019

United States

BIOGRAPHYPortrait not availableExplore the life, work and source references.
Visit the source record ↗

Biography

Rudy Smith (January 6, 1945 – December 5, 2019) was an American journalist and photographer known for his contributions to documenting life in Nebraska, particularly within the black community. He was the first black graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha's communications school and later became its first black faculty member. He had a 45-year career at the Omaha World-Herald, where he was its first black photographer. Through his photojournalism, he showed everyday life in Omaha while also being an advocate for civil rights.

Sources & collection details

Wikipedia contributors — original record ↗

Black heritage reference ↗

Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-20

Continue exploring Series 1

Arts, Music & Culture →Civil Rights & Public Life →Education & Ideas →Everyday Life & Community →

Explore all Series 1 cards →

Keep exploring