Samuel Smith is the biological father of three and the friend to many more. A first generation college graduate, he earned a B.A. from Oberlin College and an M.S.W. from the Unversity of Illinois. He is a former school social worker and school guidance counselor at University Laboratory High School, as well as a Kung‐Fu Insructor. He is currently Director of Engagement at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. He has been a Statewide Trainer at the Illinois Gifted Education Seminar (Illinois State Board of Education); an Instructor at Aurora University; and a Trainer/Consultant at the Illinois State University/Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Illinois Permanency Enhancement Project. He is a board member with the Robert E. Brown Center for World Music, UIUC; City of Urbana Sister City International Committee member; and the Champaign County Black Chamber of Commerce.

Samuel was featured in Difference Makers 2010: An eBlack Champaign-Urbana Publication.