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UNCOVERING THE HIDDEN FIGURE

I'm Kay Washington, third generation Civil Rights Activist, granddaughter to Doris Lyons Price from Oakland, California.

 

In 2022, a mural by Ephraim Gebre was painted on the walls of East High School in Rochester, New York, to honor black activists, this was a project we worked on alongside Erica Bryant and Quajay Donnel. The mural showcases Black Panther Founder Malcolm X, Franklin Florence, and Connie Mitchell who fought for Civil Rights in Rochester in the 1960s.

 

The mural was titled Hidden Figures—a thought-provoking title for this mural—because they left someone out: Doris Price, an activist. She advocated for others as an activist and Civil Rights Leader in her community of Rochester, NY.

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The original photograph shows Doris to the left of Malcolm X. However, during the mural’s development process of the project organizer Erica Bryant, muralist Ephraim Gebre and artist Quajay Donnel , decided that Doris would not be in the mural.

 

I then learned of an article written by Dave McCleary, titled: Doris Price, a ‘Hidden Figure’ in Rochester Black History, and immediately began researching and asking those involved in the mural project questions to understand why this had happened. There were a variety of reasons: the organizer blamed the muralist, the muralist blamed the organizer and speaking with both of them their answers left me more frustrated about her omission from the mural.

 

There was one through line I saw coming up again and again about who Doris was that kept coming up for me as I kept asking questions and looking for reasons for why she was omitted. She was “outspoken”, “fierce”, and she would not be silent. One of my favorite quotes recently about her came from Wesley Brown (who worked along side her with the Black Panther Party) said, “Our presence, in particular Ms. Price, became a threat, There was no way you could shut this woman up.”

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Seeing the mural was bittersweet. It beautifully honors incredible leaders, but it also reminded me of the many unsung heroes, like my grandmother. Doris Price was a force in our community, tirelessly advocating for civil rights and social justice. Her contributions were immense, yet she remains largely unrecognized. She saw Black children needed books with images of themselves and wanted to give them an accurate version of Black history, so she contacted the Negro book club in New York City to get those books. From there she saw the immense need for these texts and opened one of the first African American bookstores in Rochester. When she saw Black families were being denied housing she became a real estate agent and worked alongside my grandfather to advocate for and ensure Black families had the adequate housing they deserved.

 

Determined to honor my grandmother's legacy, I embarked on a mission to ensure Doris Price's story is told. I began by sharing my grandmother's achievements with local historians and community leaders, advocating for her inclusion in future projects that celebrate Rochester's rich history of activism.

 

My journey is a testament to the importance of recognizing all voices in the fight for equality. My grandmother's story deserves to be told. She may not be in the mural, but her impact on our community is indelible.

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HONORING A LEGACY

Help Us Create a Mural

My grandmother was an activist and a leader who dedicated her life to giving Black children access to books written by Black authors. She dreamed of opening a Black bookstore where everyone could find these treasures. To honor her legacy, I want to create a mural that showcases the incredible woman she was and celebrates her many accomplishments.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS
We are seeking ideas and submissions for this mural. If you’re inspired and would like to share or brainstorm ideas, connect with me on Instagram @thedorispriceproject or email me!

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SUPPORT OUR CAUSE
We need your help to make this mural a reality. Your donations will cover materials, labor, permits, transportation, and other expenses. If you can, please click the button below to donate and help us honor my grandmother's legacy

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