Black Leaders on Delmarva: Ivory Smith

Ivory Smith is the president of the NAACP for Worcester County.

He got involved with the organization about 18 years ago.

His mom was active in the chapter when he was younger, but he soon learned its importance as an adult.

“The main thing that really opened up my eyes is I went down to the Lorraine Motel where doctor Martin Luther King was assassinated.”, says Smith.

That along with an issue he was having at work inspired him to really dig in and get involved.

Ivory says being a part of the NAACP has helped to develop him as a person in so many ways.

It’s something he works to pass along to others, like a young man he coached many years ago.

“I called him one time when I was growing up to help me set up my basketball hoop after dropping me off from practice and he turned back around. It showed reliability and someone you could always depend on. We learned about life you know. How to be a man. How to be a respectful person. You know like whatever we wanted to do in life, he believed in us.”, says Adriano Almony.

Ivory grew up in Berlin on Flower Street and went to Stephen Decatur High School.

He’s raised his six children here and just wants to be known for being a good guy.

“I just want to be known as he was a community helper. I’m here to help everyone.”, says Smith.