Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, pianist, and Black music icon Roberta Cleopatra Flack was born in Black Mountain, NC, and grew up in Arlington, VA. As a child, she was a hardworking student and a self-described overachiever. Her first musical experience was in church; in fact, she began playing piano before she could read. By age 9, Flack was taking formal lessons and continued classical training until receiving a music scholarship to Howard University at just 15. As a senior at Howard, she became one of the first Black student-teachers at a newly integrated public school in Washington, DC. In the evenings and on weekends, Flack sang in DC nightclubs, where she was soon discovered and signed to Atlantic Records.
Flack’s music over the years transcends categories. She blended genres like R&B, folk, jazz, pop, and even gospel into her intimate and soulful ballads. Known for her tender lyrics and soothing melodies, Flack influenced the subgenre of contemporary R&B called “quiet storm,” named after a Smokey Robinson album in the 70s and known for its “smooth, jazz-influenced style.” She was the first solo artist to win the Record of the Year Grammy in two consecutive years: for “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in 1973 and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” a year later. Flack is also known for hits like “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” as well as “The Closer I Get to You” with her frequent singing partner, Donny Hathaway. Throughout her career, Flack contributed to her community by teaching and promoting music in schools. In 2007, she founded the Roberta Flack School of Music in The Bronx, NY, providing an innovative and inspiring music-education program to underprivileged students, free of charge.
Flack received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. Two years later, she was diagnosed with debilitating ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and she passed away on February 24, 2025. Her memorial service featured performances by Stevie Wonder and Lauryn Hill. A humanitarian and mentor, her legacy extends beyond music. Holding back tears, Hill eulogized: “Her existence was a form of resistance. I adore Ms. Roberta Flack. Roberta Flack is legend.” Reverend Jesse Jackson described her as “socially relevant and politically unafraid.” And former Vice President Kamala Harris put it this way: “Ms. Flack broke down barriers, paved paths of opportunity, and fully embodied the words my mother often said to me, ‘You may be the first to do many things, but make sure you are not the last…her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Biscuitville Senior Area Director, avid sports fan, DJ, and music lover. Chris Smith has been a member of the Biscuitville Fresh Southern® family since 2011. Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, he spent most of his “Little League years” there before moving to Raleigh, NC, during middle school. He later attended UNC Charlotte, where he studied mass communications with a concentration in broadcasting. Prior to joining Biscuitville, Chris worked in the restaurant industry for several years. From the beginning as a Crew Member, Chris quickly connected with our guests. His constant engagement with them made it clear that his guest-obsessed passion was a good thing, as Chris was promoted to Shift Leader after just one year. From there, he advanced to Assistant Manager, Operator, and ultimately Area Coach, in only eight years!
Today, as Senior Area Director, Chris oversees eight total Biscuitville locations, covering the greater Charlotte area, Asheboro, Albemarle, Salisbury, Rockingham, Indian Trail, Concord, and Indian Land in South Carolina. In terms of our guests, Chris is passionate about delivering top-notch service-something that’s immediately apparent upon meeting him: “Everyone is family, and respect is Job #1.” As for Biscuitville’s restaurant employees, “I’m a sports guy, so I think of being a coach, a leader of a team. The Operator is my quarterback.”
When he’s not on the road helping lead our teams, Chris resides in the Concord Mills area with his wife Renée and their two Maltipoos, Rocco and Roxie-not far from his adult daughter Briana, who lives in Fort Mill, SC. He’s a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys, as well as the New York Yankees and UNC Tarheels. A former radio and mobile DJ, Chris enjoys spinning records in his home music studio/man cave. He’s still part of a national DJ community that shares music together, attending different festivals and events each year. Chris’s musical tastes vary, including R&B, soul, hip hop, jazz-even 70s and 80s “yacht rock.” Asked about his fellow Black History Month honoree, Chris responds enthusiastically, “Roberta Flack was one of my top 20, definitely!”
Biscuitville is proud to celebrate Chris Smith this Black History Month!
In honor of Roberta Flack’s legacy and her passion for teaching and promoting music in her community, Biscuitville is sharing the work of Save The Music Foundation-a national charity focused on helping students, schools, and communities reach their highest potential through the power of music. For 29 years, it’s been their mission to deliver equitable access to music education for millions of students nationwide.
Save The Music Foundation provides support services for teachers, as well as musical instruments and technology to schools. We encourage you to find out more on how you can help support our next generation of musicians!
Fill out the form, click the button and it won’t be long before the benefits start rolling in.