Cincinnati NAACP rises again to host convention

"That's one I wished I had back," said Allen, now in private law practice. "About two years ago, I saw him on the street downtown, and I apologized. I have been following what's he's doing, and although I do not agree with everything he does, he's a fine young man."

Smitherman calls himself a political independent and fiscal conservative molded by his dad, a chemist with Procter & Gamble, and his mother, a teacher and administrator in Cincinnati Public Schools. He has established a business as a financial adviser and estate planner.

"I don't define myself as a rabble rouser," Smitherman said. "I grew up in an upper-middle class family; I am upper-middle class. I'm very proud of that success. I've built this business from scratch, and it's been able to take care of my family. My financial independence allows me to be independent politically."

Smitherman knew some people had doubts about where he would take the local NAACP, but he believes he has allayed fears that he was only interested in bombast and boycotts.

"I'm not just an attack dog," he said. "My time is spent on the phone negotiating with people, explaining our position."

Longtime activist Marian Spencer, 88, is a sometime ally. Like Smitherman, she was president of the local NAACP and a member of City Council, both in the 1980s, and supported him in his takeover of the chapter.

"He was absolutely right in the concerns he had," Spencer said. "I differed with him on the jail tax issue. We do not agree on everything. I've found him exceedingly capable, personable, though not always in the same place I am with the issues--and he doesn't have to be."

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