Angela Smith

Angela Smith is a communications and nonprofit management consultant, award winning writer and editor, and Executive Director Emeritus of the Writers' League of Texas. While serving as executive director of the Writers' League from 1989 to 1997, the organization grew from a small local group to the second largest regional writing association in the nation. She was recognized as a Communicator of Achievement by the National Federation of Press Women.

Smith was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, and received her BA with honors in 1967 from the University of North Texas where she studied journalism and music. At North Texas she served as editor of both the newspaper and yearbook. After receiving her degree she became a reporter for the Associated Press and a member of the Capitol Press Corps. After leaving AP she worked as a public information officer for the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, public relations director for St. Edward's University and communications director for the Texas Association of School Boards and the Educational Leadership Program at the University of Texas at Austin.

Following her years at the Writers' League, she served as executive director of the Learning Initiative, executive editor of Focused Learning, an educational publishing company, and executive director of My Own Business, Inc., an entrepreneurial training program based in Los Angeles.

She has authored two award-winning books Steel Drums and Steelbands; A History and Women Drummers; A History from Rock and Jazz to Blues and Country, both published by Rowman & Littlefield. She is also co-author of the book The Teacher's Journey: Making Dynamic Learning Possible.

Among her many interests, Smith is an avid amateur astronomer and working musician. She plays cello, piano, steel drum, hammered dulcimer, and is learning lap steel guitar. She is active in numerous organizations, including National Federation of Press Women, Rotary and Zonta International, and is an advocate for women's rights and the First Amendment.