Clearwater, Fla. – In conjunction with Black History Month, RCS Pinellas is proud to announce that Kirk Ray Smith is the first African American President and CEO since its inception in 1967. Although RCS Pinellas has been positively impacting Pinellas County for over 50 years, Smith is the first person of color to be President and CEO.
Smith grew up in a single parent home, with seven siblings in one of the most economically challenged communities in Cincinnati. His community was crime, drug, and alcohol infested. Poverty and homelessness were cultural norms. Kirk struggled through school, but he eventually pushed his
“I recall being misled and mistreated as a young boy because of the color of my skin. During a regular
“It is very rare that you find the perfect fit for an organization, someone who has the commitment to the cause, the desire to help people, the social graces to lead and the stature to be the face of an organization. We are extremely lucky to have found that rare combination in Kirk Ray Smith. I cannot think of a better person to lead RCS says David Siracusa, RCS Board Chair and owner of Siracusa Staffing & Leasing, LLC.
In 1967, 15 local congregations of varying faiths and ethnicities came together to provide help & hope for people in need. Pinellas County grew, and with it grew the demand and the need for a helping hand. Eager to lend a helping hand, these congregations found themselves with fewer resources to serve a growing population. Determined to make a difference, these leaders studied the needs of the Hunger Homelessness Domestic Violence Basic
For more information on RCS, visit www.rcspinellas.org or call 727-584-3528.