About John Wiley Price

John Wiley Price serves as the ranking member of the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court, and has become notorious for his vision, his vigor and his veracity. “Our Man Downtown” is known throughout this nation as a powerful proponent and advocate for all of the people of Dallas County and far beyond. It may be hard to believe, but John Wiley Price, the first African American elected to the Dallas County Commissioner’s Court, has served for more than 30 years and remains as passionate and popular as he was when he first took office on January 1, 1985.

If there were a movie to depict the life and times of John Wiley Price and his work as a Dallas County Commissioner, the marquee would read “Management on Elm Street.” His unyielding dedication to and direction of Dallas County resources toward fiscal health and efficiency have quieted the Nightmare that usually exists in local government. John Wiley Price’s activism and commitment to his divergent constituency would be the only logical sequel.

John Wiley Price has strategically positioned himself in the heat of the battle on behalf citizens who have been traditionally locked out of the systems and institutions that govern their daily lives. He became the 17th Commissioner of District 3 in the counties 142 year history when he took the oath of office. He is committed to addressing, advancing real change and achieving real results.

John Wiley Price began his seventh term as Commissioner for District Three in January 2009. The Commissioner leverages and blends his tenure and his experience with a strong management style that is both fiscally prudent and fundamentally proven.

John Wiley Price promised the voters of his district that if elected one of his first initiatives would be to develop alliances that would guarantee Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) ventures an equal opportunity to do business with Dallas County. Prior to being seated on the court, Dallas County had recorded a total of $50,000 annually in MWBE in the County’s procurement of goods and services. Since his investiture, procurement and contracts let to minority vendors and professionals has exploded.

Board and Commissions

John Wiley Price has also been cautious and successful in placing qualified individuals on Boards and Commissions who know and are sensitive to the social and infrastructure needs that exist in Dallas County. He believes in leading by example and maintains an exhaustive itinerary of boards and commissions.

John Wiley Price’s comprehensive engagement in civic issues and governance has manifested itself in numerous positions. He serves as Chairman of Dallas County Civil Service Commission [Grievance Reviewing Panel], Vice President of the Dallas County Juvenile Board, Chairman of the Commissioners Court/Sheriff Liaison Committee, Chairman of the Delinquent Tax Collection Selection Committee, Loop 9 Policy Advisor Group, Vice President of the Dallas County Housing Finance Corporation, Chairman of the Public Health Advisory, Bioterrorism, and the Safety Committee. Commissioner Price is Chairman of the District 3 Public Health Advisory Council, whose goals are to increase the level of support for health related initiatives in the District 3 sector, which serves as a conduit and platform for HealthFest, a division of KwanzaaFest. Additionally he serves on the, Adult and Juvenile Health Advisory Committee and Texas Juvenile Crime Commission, Dallas County Information Technology Steering Committee, the appointee to the Dallas Housing Acquisition and Development Corporation (DHADC) Board, and is past President of the Texas Organization of Black County Commissioners.

Community Action

John Wiley Price has been active and accountable in this community and is no stranger to personal sacrifice and unselfishness. For fourteen years, he has served as the host of a weekly community forum known as “The Dallas County Community Leadership Luncheon”. This forum enlightened the community through informative and educational speakers of local, statewide, and national prominence.

For twelve years, he was the nightly host of KKDA’s “Talk Back, Liberation Radio”. John Wiley Price continued in his crusade to educate the community by serving as host of Liberation Nation KNON 89.3 for more than six years thereafter. He served up an informative and enlightening Commentary at KKDA 730 AM on Tuesday and Thursday mornings as well as a regular guest host for Cheryl Smith’s Reporter’s Roundtable which airs on KKDA each Sunday morning.

John Wiley Price is the Founder and President of KwanzaaFest, Inc., the largest community, cultural event in the state established in 1991. KwanzaaFest offers a large array of health services which touch thousands of individuals. KwanzaaFest plays host to an excess of 50,000 patrons and embraces the seven principles of the African American holiday, Kwanzaa.

John Wiley Price is a widely sought after facilitator and featured speaker for a wide array of community events, educational lectures on both the local and the national level. He tells it like it is without regard to the audience or prevailing opinion.

The Man Downtown

Commissioner Price’s responsibilities have always extended far beyond the realm of his statutory duties as a duly elected County Commissioner. Because of his passion to enhance the value and quality of life of people and community, he continues to lead in the never ending struggle for justice.

John Wiley Price manages his personal responsibilities with the same rigor and regard that he has for his work. He is the committed father of two sons, John Jr. and John Nicholas, and one daughter, Angelina Monique. To many, he is a seeker of truth, a warrior for justice, and a visionary leader, but to his children he is Dad.

John Wiley Price continues to stand in the face of chaos and controversy with a strong will and the assurance of his purpose in life. John Wiley Price has been called both a faithful friend and a formidable foe. Much like the Apostle Paul, wherever he goes his advocacy for justice is sure to cause a riot or a revival. He is known as a motivator and a liberator. But to his constituents in District 3 and throughout Dallas County he is still known simply as, “Our Man Downtown”.

John Wiley Price is a respected leader who applies the discipline of management and stewardship to every aspect of his personal and professional life.