Rudy Smith

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. With seven siblings, he lived in a small house on 19th and Paul Street. He attended Central High School in Omaha and graduated in 1963. Rudy at age twelve became a paperboy for Omaha's African- American weekly newspaper, the Omaha Star. During this time, he formed a close bond with the newspaper's founder, Mildred D. Brown. In 1969, Rudy received his BA degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Rudy led efforts as an NAACP Youth Council leader and student senate member to establish a black studies department at Omaha, which was established in 1971.

Rudy met Llana Jones in high school. Rudy and Llana married in 1967. They had three children: Rudy Jr., Shannon and Quiana. Rudy is a long-time member of Salem Baptist Church; he helped launch a retirement home and the Salem Food Pantry.

His photos appeared in national publications like Newsweek, Time, Look, Ebony, and Sports Illustrated. He died at age 74 in Omaha in 2019.