about Curtis V. Smith, PhD.

Curtis Vinicio Smith, PhD. is an author and historian. He has recently written extensively on the early development of the Union Pacific Railroad in Wyandotte County and the influence of the Kansas City, Kansas African American community education and religious programs on gospel, ragtime and jazz.

Dr. Smith is a retired professor of biological sciences and former dean of mathematics and science at Kansas City Kansas Community College. There he taught microbiology and nutrition primarily but also U.S. History to 1877 during the summer for 28 years. He holds a B.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Microbiology from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, an M.A. in the History of Science with minors in Renaissance and Medieval History from the University of Kansas, and a PhD. in Urban Leadership and Policy Studies in Higher Education from UMKC. His self-published Microbiology: A Lab Work Manual sold over 15,000 copies in over 20 years. His Master of History thesis is titled The First Decade of AIDS in Europe and his doctoral dissertation The Impact of Part-Time Faculty on Student Retention. Both are available on the internet. He is the author of a chapter in Dr. Charles Reitz book Reflections on Science and the Human Material Condition published in 2016. He has published over a dozen peer reviewed articles on the history of science in the Kansas City Kansas Community College Ejournal on topics such as the Black Death from 1348-1352, the history of syphilis, contagion theory and the origin of HIV. His article on the History of the Kansas City Kansas Community College mascot, The Blue Devils is published in the Journal of Wyandotte County History.

In his book Kansas City KANSAS: Cultural Rhythms in Ragtime and Jazz: How a Small African American Community Influenced American Music, Dr. Smith explores how Kansas City, Kansas, played a pivotal role in the evolution of ragtime and jazz. He highlights the contributions of the early African American community, noting that, according to Booker T. Washington, KCK was “number one in the United States in organization and management.” The book delves into the establishment of Western University at Quindaro, the first historically black college west of the Mississippi, and profiles 50 musicians who were integral to the city’s musical heritage. buy on Amazon

Another of his works, Three Railroads in Wyandotte County Kansas 1855 to 1874: Samuel Hallett’s Transcontinental Dream, examines the history of railroads in Wyandotte County. The book focuses on Samuel Hallett’s efforts to establish a transcontinental railroad, making Wyandot City (now Kansas City, Kansas) the first railroad terminal in the state. Dr. Smith provides an in-depth look at Hallett’s vision and the challenges he faced, including his untimely death in 1864. buy on Amazon

Through his scholarly work, Dr. Smith sheds light on the rich cultural and historical tapestry of Kansas, emphasizing the significant contributions of its diverse communities to the broader American narrative.

He currently serves as a trustee for four organizations, the Wyandotte County Historical Society and Museum, the Wyandotte County Ethnic Festival Inc., the Greater Kansas City Area Fine Print Art Society and Jazz Ambassador Magazine.