Charles Henry Alston

Charles Henry Alston (born September 16, 1873 – date of death unknown), also known as C. H. Alston, He graduated from Shaw University with a bachelor of science degree in 1891, and a bachelor of laws degree in 1894.

Legal career During his career, he became an attorney for the City Negro Board of Trade, participated in over 11,000 criminal cases, and raised a legal challenge to the exclusion of African Americans from Floridian juries. No case he was involved in led to a death sentence, and his constitutional challenge was successful.

Political career Alston became a political leader of Tampa’s African American community. He became a local county chairman, and became secretary to the Republican State Central Committee. He was sent as a delegate to the 1912 Republican National Convention.

Personal life An Episcopalian, he also held numerous positions within a Freemasonry Grand Lodge.