Today we’d like to introduce you to Cecil Price III.
Hi Cecil, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
To tell you my story and how I got started, I must first tell you where I am. My name is Cecil Price III (@cecilprice3rd). I am a Morehouse College junior sociology major, political science and education double minor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Amid my matriculation at this Historically Black College, I have made significant strides in both academia and activism. I currently maintain High Honors while being acknowledged as the first to be an Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Michael L. Lomax Student Success Scholar.
I have dedicated my time to various on-campus organizations with this honor, including the Student Government Association, Andrew Young Center for Global Leaders, National Action Network, and numerous others. My three personal pillars are faith, education, and service. And without said foundation, I believe that I am better equipped to be a servant leader, youth ambassador, and politician.
In 2020, I graduated from the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Throughout my matriculation, I was the first Student Body President and Black male to earn the honor of Valedictorian in the school’s history.
Apart from academics, I was recently elected Senator at Large of Morehouse College in 2022. My devotion to the academic and idiosyncratic achievement of Black students has earned me many awards, including an award from Princeton University in 2020 for my work in race relations and the 2021 Andrew Young Center for Global Leaders Social Justice & Leadership Innovation award.
I have enjoyed bringing a youth perspective to many areas dominated by administrative voices. In using my platform, my mission in life is to continue encouraging youth to believe in themselves in hopes of emerging into intentional and impactful servant leaders.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been an easy path? That is an intriguing yet direct question. The first thing that comes to mind is the Bible scripture, Matthew 22:14, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” As a young man born and raised in the Baptist church, specifically Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with my Godfather as the presiding pastor, Reverend James Earl Garmon Jr., I am a man of faith before all else. So, even though the path has not been smooth, with faith as my foundation, I know that I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.
The path I am traveling and still have much to see is a path that I have prayed to God for my entire life. Even now, in the year 2022, the entire community, city, state, nation, and world are in turmoil. With a global pandemic, an attack on education, constant transitions in leadership, and all the highs and lows seen and unseen, the people have endured many travesties in the last two years. However, I have learned the importance of keeping the faith — especially Crazy Faith.
The idea of Crazy Faith stems from one of my favorite pastors, the pastor of Transformation Chruch (Nation), Pastor Michael Todd. In one of his sermons, Pastor Todd spoke on the importance of Crazy Faith. With this kind of radical faith, it is best understood that it is only crazy until it happens. Many of us would prefer to stay on the sidelines and play it safe, yet this radical or crazy faith reveals God’s promises and allows us to watch Him move. Pastor Michael Todd demonstrates how to step out on faith and enter into the intentional and impactful life of believing in God for the impossible in Crazy Faith. So, if you ever ask me if it has been a smooth path, know that I am operating and dwelling in Crazy Faith.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The work that I do, I do not consider it work because I am living within my life’s purpose — I specialize in purpose. And that purpose is to serve my community, city, state, nation, and world as a servant leader, youth ambassador, and politician.
As a rising junior at Morehouse College, this Historically Black College has stayed true to its mission of developing young men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service. With an emphasis on leadership and service, Morehouse College wants to ensure that the young men who bear the insignia of a Morehouse Man not only become leaders but servant leaders. It is challenging to discern between the two types, but it is best to understand that anyone can be a leader, but not everyone can be a servant leader. Servant leaders, through their leadership, serve the needs, wants, and desires of those they represent. And in doing so, create a level of accountability between the people and those they choose to serve. So, as a servant leader, it is my responsibility to uphold and defend said ideals.
Now, my entire life, I have been a youth ambassador. From high school to my collegiate years, I have had roles such as Student Body President of the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies, President of the African American Centers for Advanced Studies (AACAS) Executive Committee, Youth Chair of the State of Black Learning Conference, Vice President of the National Action Network, and now, Senator at Large of Morehouse College. For far too long, adult-led voices, ideas, and motives have dominated impact areas. Many of these spaces love to talk about the youth but never include the youth in dialogue involving the youth. The youth are tired of being misrepresented. That is why it is my responsibility as a youth ambassador to recognize that when given a chance, with the proper resources and network, the youth are willing and able to emerge into their true selves — intending to be impactful on purpose.
Being a servant leader first, then a youth ambassador second, I am better equipped to serve as a politician. Unfortunately, the nature of politics during these times is in shambles. I believe that these self-proclaimed leaders and politicians had forgotten the catalyst of politics — people. People are what drive politics. You cannot have one without the other. You can learn how to write a bill; you cannot learn how to love people. That is why I believe that I have an advantage because I am a sociology major at Morehouse College. My entire discipline focuses on the study of human social relationships and institutions. So, as a politician, it is my responsibility to be people first always. That is why I am delighted to be working at the United States Capitol this summer with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. I will have first-hand experience of what my life’s purpose will look like in the near future.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned along my journey has come from my mother, Cecelia Price, whom I call my “North Star.” This nickname originates from the fact that she is the one that has always kept me aligned and focused since birth. My North Star has taught me the crucial lesson of gaining the spirit of discernment.
My mother, Cecelia Price, is one of the most anointed individuals I have ever met. When she taught me about the spirit of discernment, I learned that it is a decision-making process in which an individual makes a finding that can lead to future action. God leads His people through the process of spiritual discernment to help them make the best decision possible. So, as a servant leader, youth ambassador, and politician, the spirit of discernment has been my guide to make the best decisions possible for each of my said responsibilities.
To be intentional and impactful on purpose, I have realized that everyone in your circle is not in your corner with the spirit of discernment. Due to this understanding, it is our responsibility to recognize those who are for and against us — and act accordingly. As we continue to move along our life’s purpose, the unfortunate yet true fact is that everyone cannot come along on this journey with us. With that notion, since everyone cannot journey the path that God predestined for you, they will never truly understand the vision that God has bestowed upon you. They will never see the outline — only the outcome. Those on the outside looking in will see the outcome and then try to duplicate it, but they can never replicate — because the outline was given to you and you alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/cecilprice3rd
- Instagram: cecilprice3rd
- Twitter: cecilprice3rd
