Samuel Daniels and a Hustle in Support for Ethiopia

        Samuel Daniels claimed that he was born in Tanganyika (Tanzania) sometime around 1908 and moved to the USA around 1924. He made the claim during the time he was trying to rally African American support for Ethiopia against Italy. Samuel Daniels' origins remains a mystery. Daniels appears to have been born in the Americas, either in the US or the Caribbean. In 1934, he established an organization called Pan African Reconstruction Association (P.A.R.A.) in New York.

         P.A.R.A was reported to have about 35,000 members and branches in twenty-two cities in the US in 1935 by several sources. The actual number of PARA membership is not clear; however, it appears that it was in the thousands. His organization eventually disappeared as quickly as it started. Nevertheless, for a brief period, Daniels made contributions to raising Pan-African consciousness among African Americans.

         Daniels rejected the name “Negro” in his speeches. As he remarked in one speech: “I like the word African. No More Negroes an’ shines an’ coons. African!” Daniels helped raise awareness of connections to Africa by rallying support for Ethiopia and championing economic and political liberation. This son of Africa left his mark in the US. He will be remembered for his contributions in connecting African Americans with Africa.

© Azaria Mbughuni

azmbughuni@gmail.com