J. Alfred Smith

Smith was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 19, 1931, to Amy Gates Smith and Clyde Anderson. == Education ==

Smith earned a B.S. degree from Western Baptist College (now Corban University) in elementary education in 1952. In 1959, he earned a bachelor's degree in divinity from the University of Missouri, and in 1966 he earned a master's degree in Theology, Church, and Community. In 1972, he received a master's degree from the American Baptist Seminary in American Church History. In 1975, Smith received a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. == Career ==

During the 1960s, Smith worked at the American Baptist Convention Staff of Northern California, Bishop College in Dallas, American Baptist Churches of the West. He also taught at Laney College, Merritt College, Patton College and Concordia College, all in Oakland, California. Smith was named Senior Pastor of Oakland, California's Allen Temple Baptist Church in 1971. In 1979 he became the first vice-president of the Progressive Baptist State Convention of California. He was elected president two years later. In 1989, he testified before the United Nations against South Africa’s apartheid regime, calling for freedom and justice. In 1984 he became the first vice-president of Progressive National Baptist Convention, and became president in 1986. Smith had a lengthy and rich career as a Visiting Professor and Doctoral Advisor including: • Visiting Professor and Doctoral Advisor, Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, California) • Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta, Georgia); United Theological Seminary (Dayton, Ohio) • Visiting Professor, Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky • Adjunct Professor, Garrett Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois • Scholar in Residence, Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, North Carolina (2009) == Personal life and death ==

Smith's first wife, JoAnna Goodwin Smith, died in 2007. Smith died on September 19, 2025, at the age of 94. == Honors ==

Smith was named by Ebony Magazine as one of the Most Influential Black Americans for two years consecutively. Among the numerous awards he received include the Agape Award from Shiloh Baptist Church (Washington, D.C.), and the Gandhi Ikeda Award from Morehouse College. Upon his retirement from Berkeley School of Theology, the J. Alfred Smith Sr. Endowed Chair of Theology in the Public Square was created in his honor. == Works ==

Smith wrote an autobiography, On the Jericho Road (2004). He is also the author of 15 other books including Speak Until Justice Wakes (2006), The Overflowing Heart (1987), and Preach On (1996). ==External links==