Christopher ‘C.H.’ Payne

Christopher Payne—known as C.H. to his friends—lived more lives than a collection of most people. Born into enslavement, his mother insisted upon getting him an education.  After the Civil War, he was able to become a teacher and a pastor before publishing newspapers in which he addressed the stories of African Americans. He moved through the world of politics to garner the respect of President Teddy Roosevelt and the world.