Dr. Charles Ullman Smith

Dr. Charles Ullman Smith, a towering figure in both the scholarly and civil rights communities of Tallahassee, made a lasting mark as a sociologist, activist, and educator. A professor at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) for nearly 50 years, Dr. Smith’s journey began with a Ph.D. in sociology from Washington State University in 1948—a remarkable achievement for an African American at the time. Upon joining FAMU, he quickly became a pillar of the institution, serving as Chair of the Department of Sociology, Director of Graduate Studies, and ultimately Dean of Graduate Studies.

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Beyond academia, Dr. Smith was a fierce advocate for justice, deeply involved in the Tallahassee Bus Boycott of 1956, which helped ignite the city’s Civil Rights Movement. His activism continued through the lunch counter sit-ins of 1960 and other key events that reshaped the social landscape. A prolific scholar, Dr. Smith’s books and articles enriched the field of sociology and amplified the discourse around civil rights and social equality. In 2016, the city honored his legacy by dedicating the 60th anniversary of the Tallahassee Bus Boycott to his memory, an enduring testament to his contributions both in the classroom and in the streets.