Black History Month is a time to celebrate the people whose leadership helped usher in opportunity and strengthen public life, right here in Genesee County. One of those trailblazers is the late Justice Otis Smith, whose story is deeply connected to Flint and his passion for public service.

Before becoming Justice Smith, he had made a name for himself in Genesee County as a highly successful attorney and advocate for many causes both here and across the nation.

He was a public administrator for Genesee County, appointed by the state Attorney General from 1955-1957, before becoming the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State of Michigan. In 1961, he was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court having the distinction of being the first African-American to serve on the highest court in the state.

From the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society:

Otis M. Smith was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 20, 1922. He attended Fisk University and Syracuse University. In 1950, Smith graduated from Catholic University Law School in Washington, D.C. In January of 1951 he was admitted to the Bar and immediately began to practice law in Flint, Michigan.

In addition to his practice of law, Smith took part in many civic organizations and functions. He was an active member in many civic groups including the Big Brothers and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. His community service brought him recognition from the Junior Chamber of Commerce in the city of Flint as the Outstanding Young Man in Flint in the year 1956.

The Prosecuting Attorney of Genesee County, a Republican who in 1954 appointed Smith as Assistant Prosecuting attorney, recognized his skills. He was designated as a part-time public administrator and continued private practice through 1956 when Governor G. Mennen Williams appointed him Chairman of the Public Service Commission of the State of Michigan. The vigor with which Smith carried out his duties as Public Service Commission Chairman resulted in Williams appointing him Auditor General of the State of Michigan in October 1959.

Governor John Swainson appointed Smith to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1961. The first African-American justice on the Court, Smith’s civility and courtesy in all of his personal relationships, even in the presence of abusive, provocative conduct, were particularly important to the Court during the very stressful years of his service.

Upon Smith’s exit from the Court in 1967, he was named General Counsel for General Motors.

Click here to listen to his oral history.