C. Payne Lucas

C.Payne Lucas has brought a unique blend of passion and steadfast commitment to his 40-year career in African development. He was president of Africare from 1971 to June 15, 2002, and was former Africa Regional Director of the Peace Corps. He has been honored by several presidents of the United States as well as by leaders of more than two dozen nations of Africa - from decorations of the National Orders of Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Senegal and Zambia to the 1984 U.S. Presidential End Hunger Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement Òin the effort to achieve a world without hunger."

On receiving the End Hunger Award, Lucas was described as "a can-do optimist who combines the persuasive powers of a tent evangelist and a traveling salesman." In 1993, then-Rep. Kweisi Mfume, in his capacity as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, praised Lucas's "labors in developing nations throughout the continent of Africa. But just as important as your work," Mfume continued, "is your leadership by example, which demonstrates the difference one human being can make when committed to the cause of human dignity and global justice."

Lucas was born in 1933 in Spring Hope, N.C. Following four years in the Air Force, he received his B.A. in history from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, and his master's degree in government from the American University.

In 1962, he joined the staff of the fledgling Peace Corps, under the agency's organizer and first Director, Sargent Shriver. There, until 1971, Lucas served successively as Assistant Country Director in Togo, Country Director in Niger, Director of the Africa Region and, finally, Director of the Office of Returned Volunteers. For his work in the Peace Corps, Lucas received the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service in 1967. As a part of the award presentation, then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey praised Lucas by saying, "I am indeed proud of the success of the Peace Corps, and it is due in large part to the kind of dedication and spirit you have exemplified."

Lucas left the Peace Corps in 1971 to become the President of Africare, which - having been incorporated in 1970 in Hawaii by its Founder and first President, William O. Kirker, M.D. - had recently been reincorporated in Washington, D.C. There, with support from African and American leaders and development experts, the organization began with a skeletal staff in a few rented rooms within the Embassy of Niger. Today, Africare is the oldest and largest African-American nonprofit organization specializing in aid to Africa. Its more than 150 programs now reach families and communities in 26 nations, from Egypt to South Africa and from Nigeria to Mozambique. Assistance provided by Africare is in the principal areas of food security and agriculture as well as health and HIV/AIDS. Africare also supports water resource development, environmental management, basic education, microenterprise development, government initiatives and emergency humanitarian aid. Donors range from corporations and foundations to the U.S. government and international organizations such as the U.N. Africare is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with field offices in 26 countries of Africa. On June 15, 2002, Lucas retired as Africare President, succeeded by Julius E. Coles. Lucas remains active both within Africare and in the broader arenas of African trade and development. He also serves as chief executive officer of Lodestar, LLC, providing consultant services in domestic and international business.

C. Payne Lucas is married to Freddie Hill Lucas, Ph.D. They have three grown children -Therese Lucas, C. Payne Lucas, Jr., and Hillary Lucas Rouse - and one grandson, Walter Victor Rouse, II. Lucas's dedication to world progress has gone beyond his work with Africare. He is actively involved in a variety of organizations committed to international development, serving on the following Boards: Constituency for Africa; The Kennedy Center Community and Friends Board; University of Maryland Foundation; U.S. Africa Trade and Aid Link Corporation; D.C. Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy; The U.S. Committee of the United Nations Development Programme (Former Chairman and Founding Member); The Commission on Post-Conflict Reconstruction; Corporate Council on Africa (Founding Member); and the Andrew Young Center for International Affairs, Morehouse College. He also serves on the Advisory Boards of the National Peace Corps Association; Discovery Channel Global Education Fund; The Africa Society; Modern Africa Fund Managers; and Population Action International.