Born in Rochester, NY, Renée Price was raised in a family and an environment that valued education, the arts, equality, civil rights, and justice. Her mother was a talented beautician, and her father was the first African American police officer in the city. She and her sister attended both public and the private schools; as her father said, "knowledge is one thing they can't take away from you."
Renée earned her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Tufts University majoring in urban affairs, and Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University with concentrations in city development planning, and environmental planning and design. She also studied at Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in the Master of Arts program.
From New York to North Carolina to Alabama and back to North Carolina, Renée has focused on urban and rural life, as well as resource preservation and conservation. Her positions have included: housing director for an inner-city neighborhood, assistant project manager for an office of environmental impact, grant writer for a pro bono law firm on Black land loss, coordinator for a conservation council, director of a forestry program for underserved farmers and landowners, and manager of government relations for a mentoring program.
Renee Price Breaking Ground with Local Leaders
In 2012, Renée was elected to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, re-elected in 2016, and in 2020. As Commissioner, she serves on various local and regional boards. During her tenure, she has supported community members in closing a landfill, paving an access road, building affordable housing, improving school facilities, and preserving farms and agriculture. Renée also continues to advocate for small businesses, artists, crafts makers, and entrepreneurs, and such issues as climate change mitigation and the expansion of broadband. She served as Vice-Chair of the BOCC from 2018 to 2020 and has served as Chair since 2020.
Renee Price with her partner Michael Carmichael
Renée remains active in the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) and currently serves as the Chair of the Legislative Goals Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors. She recently completed four years as President of the North Carolina Association of Black County Officials (NCABCO) and is a Board Member of the North Carolina Black Alliance. In 2020, Renée received the M.H. Jack Brock Outstanding County Commissioner Award from her NCACC colleagues.
At the national level, Renée has been active in the National Association of Counties (NACo), and currently serves as Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission, a Vice-Chair of the Justice & Public Safety Steering Committee, and a Member of the Rural Action Caucus. She also is a member of the National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO), and on the Board of Directors of the National Organization of Black County Officials (NOBCO).
Renée and Michael enjoy life residing at the edge of Hillsborough, along the banks of the Eno River.
An Active Community Member, Advocate, and Leader
Renée has actively engaged and led throughout her region and the state. This leadership and strong ties to community will allow her to advocate for the people of Orange and Caswell counties in the state legislature. Renée humbly serves on the following local organizations:
Historic Hillsborough Commission
Orange County Veterans Memorial at Chapel Hill Planning Committee
Northern Orange NAACP
Free Spirit Freedom (co-founder)
Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition
Renée speaking at local Veterans Day Program
Renée speaking at local Veterans Day Program
Renée presenting resolutions from the Community, Economic & Workforce Development Steering Committee to NACo
Renée presenting resolutions from the Community, Economic & Workforce Development Steering Committee to NACo
Renée also advocates on behalf of our community at the national level with leadership roles in a variety of state and national organizations:
National Association of Counties
- Arts and Culture Commission, Chair
- Justice & Public Safety Steering Committee, Subcommittee Vice-chair
- Women of NACo, treasure
- Rural Action Caucus, member
- Program & Services, member
- Fist-time Attendees Ambassador
National Association of Black County Officials
National Organization of Black County Officials (Southern Region Director)
NC Association of County Commissioners
- Legislative Goals Committee, Co-Chair
- Board of Directors
- Justice & Public Safety Steering Committee
NC Association of Black County Comissioners
NC Black Alliance
A Political Leader Locally and State-Wide
Renée's political experience and knowledge from leading both locally and at the state level lend her the expertise needed to win results for the people of Orange and Caswell counties. Renée has served in these political bodies:
Democratic Women of Orange County (President)
Orange County Democratic Party: Hillsborough East Precinct
NC Democratic Party: State Executive Committee
NC Democratic Party Resolutions & Platform Committee (4th Congressional District Representative)
Recognition from the Community
M. H. "Jack" Brock Outstanding County Commissioner Award-2020: Awarded by the NC Association of County Commissioners
Special Service Award, 2021: Awarded by the NC Association of Black County Commissioners
Hometown Hero, September 2020: Awarded by 97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro
Hometown Hero, May 2018: Awarded by 97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro
Village Pride Award, January 2015: Awarded by 97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro