Interview, Charles Price

Charles Price (b. 1923) was born and raised in Rochester, New York. His father, Sergeant Adam Price, was a Civil War veteran. His aunt, Bessie Walls, was one of the first black teachers in Rochester. Price graduated from Madison High School and throughout his life attended seven different colleges and universities. He trained in electronics and served in Italy with the United States Air Force during World War II. After his service, Price returned to Rochester and resumed employment at Kodak, where he had worked before the war. In 1947, he became Rochester’s first black police officer. Price was engaged in a number of volunteer and civic organizations such as the Masonic Lodge, NAACP, the Urban League, and the Kiwanis Club.

In this interview, Price discusses his first-hand experience with segregation in the military and the lack of racial minorities in law enforcement. He encourages young people to attend school and to get the best educations that they can.