Bishop Frederick Calhoun James, a distinguished figure in the AME Church, passed away at the age of 102. Born on April 7, 1922, in Prosperity, South Carolina, he dedicated his life to serving the church and making a difference in the lives of those around him.
In 1960, James was elected as the director of Social Action for the AME Church and worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During his time as director, he focused on promoting social justice and equality within the community. In 1972, James became the 93rd bishop in the AME Church and was assigned to Southern Africa. There, he established schools, a publishing house, churches, and centers for economic empowerment.
After serving in Southern Africa for several years, James was assigned to Arkansas and Oklahoma in 1976. He continued his work on youth development during this time period and also helped restore accreditation for Shorter College. He also led urban housing initiatives during his time there. While in Arkansas and Oklahoma, James formed a strong connection with former president Bill Clinton.
In 1984, James returned to South Carolina where he served as presiding bishop and chair of the board of trustees at Allen University. During his tenure at Allen University, James played a significant role in helping the school achieve accreditation and facilitated the acquisition of the James Shopping Center. Throughout his career as an ecumenical officer representing the AME Church globally and overseeing the Second Episcopal District which included North Carolina
