Mary Carter Smith (1919 – April 24, 2007) was a noted American
educator who helped revive
storytelling as an educational tool. She graduated from
Coppin State University and was a teacher in the
Baltimore City Public School system for thirty-one years. Additionally, she was a co-founder of Big Brothers-Big Sisters of
Maryland, founding member of Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America, the Arena Players theatre company and the Griots' Circle of Maryland.[1][2]
She hosted a Saturday morning
radio program, "Griot for the Young and the Young at Heart" and, in 1983, Mary Smith was named the official
Griot of
Baltimore City and, in 1991, the official Griot of Maryland.[1]
Awards and notable achievements
1982: co-founded The National Association of Black Storytellers[3]