Black History Month invites us to reflect on the people who made a positive impact on our country and, more specifically, our little corner of Michigan. The impact was not simply being the first to enter a room, the first to hold a title, or the first to be trusted with responsibilities that had been denied to others based on their race.

The impact was far-reaching.

In Genesee County, one of those trailblazers was William Price III, a leader whose public service left an indelible mark on this community.

Born in Oklahoma, William Price III made Flint his home in 1951 after serving his country in the Tuskegee Fighter Squadron as a flight commander. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American U.S. military aviators, trained during World War II in a segregated program in Tuskegee, Alabama. They flew combat missions with distinction, challenging racist myths about Black service members, becoming a catalyst for eventual desegregation.

Price started his Genesee County career as an assistant prosecutor, working within the legal system at a time when African Americans were still excluded from many positions, especially positions of authority.

After his time in the prosecutor’s office, Price entered private practice, continuing to build a reputation grounded in professionalism and legal skill.

In 1970, Price became the first person of color to lead the Genesee County Bar Association, a milestone that mattered not just because it was “first,” but because it was a meaningful step forward for representation in Genesee County’s legal institutions, opening doors for future generations of attorneys and judges of color.

In 1972, Price was appointed to the bench, serving with distinction as the second African-American judge in the history of Genesee County.

May we never forget the life and legacy of William Price III.