- Activism
- Music
Leroy Smith
Leroy Smith a native of Oklahoma born on July 11,1911, moved to Denver in 1936 where he soon became an important member of the five points community. In 1939, he obtained a property and turned it into a record store and sporting goods store. Rhythm Records and Sporting Goods quickly started gaining traction in the community, and Leroy Smith capitalized on this newfound recognition. Leroy was a trailblazer soon becoming one of the first african american disk jockeys on the radio, having his own midnight show “Rockin with Leroy” which became a hit in the community. Leroy soon got into the entertainment industry becoming friends with the likes of Muhammad Ali, James Brown, Nat King Cole, Fats Dominoes. Leroy Smith was a light of his community, as he once ran for a councilman seat, and received a honorary citation from the Governor of Colorado Roy Romer.