Dr. Ezell F. Smith has always been a person of positive ideas with a creative imagination. His resume includes a large body of work dedicating his life to giving others through music, teaching, mentoring, or encouraging others of all ages. He's been inspiring others even as a young teen. While Dr. Smith was attending a golf tournament in New Orleans, an alligator came out of the water. It had only three legs. It looked peaceful yet curious. Someone said, "It's Tripod. He comes out and greets the crowd sometimes." They all laughed. Well, the rest is history. It reminded Dr. Smith of the work he's dedicated his life to, dealing with kids of strength, courage, and determination, not allowing a disability to get in their way. Tripod has been his motivational friend ever since.