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Don Ray Smith, “Growing up White on Wilson!”

I first met Don Ray Smith in that wonderful readers and writers  group called the Cherokee Roundtable in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a humorist and would read a number of his essays at our meetings, many of which had been published in our local newspaper. Don went on to publish books with collections of his essays. So we would  put on book launch shows at Ken and Sheila Pyles’ Rudyard Kipling Restaurant and Theatre on Oak Street in Old Louisville. That’s where I met Rush Trowel, the  stage producer.

It was at Rush’s Theatre, Faith Works Studio, that I saw Don premier his work, “Growing up White on Wilson.” I knew then, that Don’s story of growing up in the segregated west end of Louisville had something important to say. Stunningly honest and sincere,  Don’s character spoke of his own journey, while not criticizing ours.

Don later performed a shortened version for my variety show in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The audience was suprised by his presentation. Growing up white in a black neighborhood is not a usual topic of today’s stage.  Uncomfortable, maybe. But it is still relevant today, and Don’s memories meaningful. We can all benefit by remembering how far we have come, and have’t.

On January 16, 2026, Don Ray Smith presented the full, two act version of his play at the Memories Event Venue in Frankfort, Kentucky. I was authorized to video tape the production. Both acts can be found on my YouTube Site (Reggie Van Stockum) under the “White on Wilson” playlist.

You can find the First Act by clicking HERE! or on the link or video below:

 

You can find the Second Act by clicking HERE! or on the link or video below:

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About Author

Ronald R. Van Stockum, Jr. is a lawyer, teacher, biologist, writer, guitarist, and recently an actor living on his family's old farm in Shelbyville, Kentucky. He has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Santa Clara University, and a Masters and PhD. in Biology from the University of Louisville. He also has his Juris Doctorate from the Brandeis School of Law. He practices law from offices in Shelbyville, Kentucky concentrating his legal practice in environmental law. His biologic research is in historical phytogeography. Dr. Van Stockum, Jr. has published numerous books, articles, and short stories in the areas of law, science, and creative writing. His 35 titles are available on this site, with many on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible!

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