Richard Henry Singleton facts for kids

Rev. Richard Henry Singleton

An Atlanta Constitution article about Rev. Singleton's trip to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919

Rev. Richard Henry Singleton (born September 11, 1865, in Hilton Head, South Carolina – died 1923, in Atlanta) was an important leader in the African American community. He was a pastor at the Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He also worked to improve civil rights and education for Black people.

A Leader in the Church and Community

Richard Henry Singleton began his work with the church in 1893. He started serving at the Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta in 1916. This church was a very important place for the Black community.

Rev. Singleton was also a trustee at Morris Brown University. A trustee is like a board member who helps guide the school. This university is a historically Black college. He also led the local chapter of the NAACP. The NAACP is a well-known group that works for equal rights for Black people.

A Voice for Change: The Paris Peace Conference

In 1919, Rev. Singleton was chosen for a very special task. He was picked to represent "his church and his race" at the Paris Peace Conference. This was a big meeting held after World War I. Leaders from many countries gathered to discuss peace and the future of the world.

Rev. Singleton was part of a small group of ten Black Americans who went to Paris. Their goal was to talk with President Woodrow Wilson and other leaders. They wanted to discuss the future of former German colonies in Africa. These areas are now countries like Cameroon, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Namibia, and Togo.

Supporting Joyland Park

Rev. Singleton also played a role in his local community. In 1921, he spoke at the opening of Joyland Park in Atlanta. This was a very special event because Joyland Park was Atlanta's first amusement park specifically for Black people. It offered a place for fun and entertainment during a time of segregation.

Legacy

Rev. Richard Henry Singleton passed away in 1923. He is remembered as a dedicated church leader and a strong voice for civil rights and education.