Benjamin “Pap” Singleton was an African-American civil rights activist and successful businessman integral to the beginnings of black nationalism. He greatly influenced the resettlement of thousands of African-Americans to Kansas, know as the “Great Exodus,” after the ending of Reconstruction. There he advocated for black-owned businesses and fought to improve black communities through providing education and jobs. Youth and Freedom Benjamin Singleton was born into slavery somewhere around Nashville, Tennessee in 1809. During his youth he trained and worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker. Singleton was sent to New Orleans after being sold. In the mid-1840s he managed to escape to Windsor, Ontario. After a year or so, Singleton returned to the United States and settled in Detroit, Michigan. He started a boarding house that became a refuge for fugitive slaves on their way to Canada. [[[[There is very little further information regarding Benjamin Singleton’s childhood and early life despite his great historical importance.]]]] Activist Beginnings …show more content…
He lived in a special camp for runaway slaves constructed by the Union army in Edgefield near the river. He built cabinets and coffins to earn money. While promoting his goods, Singleton advocated for former slaves to consider moving West to buy and farm federal homesteading land. [[[[Benjamin “Pap” Singleton witnessed much racism and racial violence while in Nashville and believed owning land and farming was the only way for blacks to find true freedom.]]]] His first attempt to purchase land in Tennessee failed since local white landowners refused to sell their land at reasonable