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An Unknown Hero

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Oct 26, 2010
by: achohan
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                                Joseph Charles Price

        Many African Americans have helped shaped American government and politics. Some became famous and were recognized greatly for their struggles and achievements, but there were some who worked hard and accomplished much, yet did not get the credit for their efforts. One of those unsung heroes was Joseph Charles Price, a national and international leader, orator, educator, Pan Africanist historian, temperance leader, writer, scholar, and an early advocate for Woman's rights.  

        Price was born on February 10, 1854 in North Carolina. Because his mom was a free African American, he was born a free man, even though his father was still a slave.  His mother believed strongly in education and valued the ability to become educated.  Therefore, she moved with her son for him to attend school at the Saint Cyprian Episcopal School. Later, following his mother's dream for him, Price attended college at Shaw University in Raleigh, transferred to Lincoln University, Pennsylvania 1879 and graduated with an A.B. degree in Theology. In 1881, Price traveled to London and represented the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church at the Ecumenical Conference. He delivered a five -minute speech there for which the London Times named him "The World's Orator". Additionally,J. C. Price was the founder and first president of Livingstone College.      
 

       Price held great hope for the future and once said,  "I do not care how dark the night; I believe in the coming of the morning."  Because of his optimism,  he became involved in the Afro-American League and was elected president of the National Protective Association.  That same year he was voted one of the "Ten Greatest Negroes Who Ever Lived." Price used education to show that slavery and discrimination were wrong and that Blacks deserved the same rights as White people in society.

 

        In conclusion, Joseph Charles Price was an African American who helped shaped the government, but the work of this brilliant scholar is known only to a few.  As we celebrate Africans Americans who impacted government, we should also remember Mr. Price.