Schmoke, Kurt L. (Kurt Lidell), 1949-

Kurt Lidell Schmoke (born December 1, 1949) is an American lawyer, academic, and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 46th Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland- the first African American elected to the position- from 1987 to 1999.

Born and raised in Baltimore, he graduated from the Baltimore City College there before earning a B.A. degree from Yale University, studying at Oxford University in England for two years, and earning a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Schmoke joined the Baltimore law firm of Piper and Marbury. In 1977, he was selected to be part of the White House Domestic Policy Staff during the Carter Administration to work in the Department of Transportation. After one year working in President Carter's administration, Schmoke returned to Baltimore to serve as the Assistant United States Attorney, a position he held from 1978 to 1981. In 1982, Schmoke ran for his first elected office. He challenged incumbent Baltimore City State's Attorney William A. Swisher in a citywide contest, upsetting him.

On November 3, 1987, he was elected mayor of Baltimore. As mayor, he became known for his opposition to the "War on Drugs" and his stance in favor of drug decriminalization. Schmoke initiated programs in housing, education, public health and economic development. During his three terms in office Schmoke faced very serious challenges, including poor quality schools, drug addiction, and violent crime. Some of his controversial positions included advocating the decriminalization of drug use, and employing Nation of Islam security guards in a housing project. His achievements included improving the environment of low-income housing projects, a needle-exchange program for addicts, keeping the tax rate stable, and attracting the Ravens football team to Baltimore. After serving three terms as city mayor, Schmoke opted not to run for reelection in 1999.

After leaving office in December 1999, Schmoke practiced law at the firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering in Baltimore. In 2003, Schmoke was appointed the dean of the Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. In 2004, Schmoke was appointed an honorary fellow of Balliol College, Oxford. In July 2008 Schmoke became the acting Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Howard University. Schmoke continued as Dean of the Howard University School of Law. On May 14, 2014, the University of Baltimore announced that Schmoke would become its new president.