Rudy Smith: Capturing Black Omaha Through the Lens of Truth
Rudy Smith
Legacy Maker | Omaha News Photographer
Story by Aniya Porter
Rudy Smith dedicated his life to making Black Omaha visible, honestly, fully, and with dignity.
Born on January 6, 1945, Smith became a trailblazer in journalism and photography, using his lens to document everyday life while bearing witness to moments of struggle, resilience, and change.
Smith broke barriers early. He was the first Black graduate of the communications school at University of Nebraska at Omaha, and later returned as its first Black faculty member, teaching, mentoring, and opening doors for future generations.
In 1963, he joined the Omaha World-Herald, becoming the paper’s first Black photographer. He would remain there for 45 years, retiring in 2008 after a career that quietly but profoundly reshaped Nebraska journalism.
Through his photojournalism, Smith documented everything from sports and politics to music and faith. He photographed iconic musicians including Gladys Knight, B.B. King, Calvin Keys, Lois “Lady Mac” McMorris, Wali Ali, and Eugene “Booker” McDaniels.
In 1968, he captured Robert Kennedy’s visit to North Omaha, but he is best known for his coverage of Omaha’s civil rights movement, photographing protests, marches, and uprisings with care and courage at a time when telling the full truth came with risk.
In 1971, Smith curated Black Is Me, a powerful photographic collection published in the World-Herald that centered Black identity and lived experience. Alongside writer Harold Cowan, he also helped shine a light on poverty in Omaha, using journalism as advocacy.
Beyond the newsroom, Smith served as Board President of the Great Plains Black History Museum from 2015 to 2019 and was deeply involved in Salem Baptist Church, helping launch both a retirement home and food pantry.
Rudy Smith’s photographs appeared in Time, Newsweek, Ebony, Look, and Sports Illustrated. He passed away in 2019 at age 74, but his legacy endures, etched in images that ensured Black Omaha would not be forgotten.
Know a Black community leader whose story should be told? Nominate them by emailing office@lozafina.com.
