Welcome to the New Congo Reform Association
Help Us End the Congo Conflict
OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE SOCIAL ACTION THROUGH STORY, FILM, AND SOCIAL MEDIA
TO END THE CONGO CONFLICT AND CREATE A SELF-SUSTAINING, THRIVING CONGO.
The Congo Reform Association partners with like-minded organizations committed to ending genocide
in the Eastern Congo to bring peace and stability to the entire Central Africa region.
History and Hope for the Congo
Learn about The Congo’s History
and the “new” Congo Reform Association
Among Kings is now available on Audible!
Among Kings
The Amazing Adventures of the Congo’s African American Livingstone and the Courageous People who Toppled King Leopold II
A new Historical Fiction novel
by Joey O’Connor
A black American missionary-explorer risks everything to save a nation, leading to the first international human rights trial
Epic storyteller Joey O'Connor leads you into the spellbinding, exotic world of the Scramble for Africa, where the untold story of a high-stakes human rights battle between a missionary and a monarch leads to the world's first international human rights trial.
In post-Civil War Virginia, William Sheppard pursues his lifelong dream of becoming a missionary in Africa. But as an African American man, he faces heartbreaking prejudice from the Presbyterian missions board.
Unexpectedly, he is matched with an unlikely colleague—the very white Samuel Lapsley. A deep interracial friendship emerges as the two venture deep into the dangerous, Belgian-controlled Congo ruled by the evil King Leopold II. Traveling by steamship 1,000 miles up the Congo River, these two novice missionaries battle lurking pythons, rampant disease, cannibal tribes, and all the King's men.
When Sheppard and Lapsley discover Leopold has enslaved the Congo for the rubber and ivory trade, they speak out against the atrocities. Leopold lashes back with a slander lawsuit against Sheppard, leading to the first international human rights trial. Millions of lives hang in the balance. Who will win? The missionary or the monarch?
Discover this powerful story of a courageous African American man who risked everything to save an entire nation.
Among Kings includes historical photos and Book Club Questions.
Discover the courageous African American hero whose activism and passion for social justice helped free an enslaved nation.
Author Interview with Joey O’Connor
Why should readers care about William Sheppard?
William Sheppard is one of the most fascinating African Americans, yet he is largely overlooked in Black History. He is one of the most unknown African American heroes in America. I became intrigued by Sheppard's story after my brother-in-law gave me a book about Sheppard. As we researched his life and work, it was clear Sheppard was a beloved missionary and explorer. He was lauded by kings, queens, and U.S. Presidents. One of the most famous Americans of his day, he spoke at black and white churches all over the East Coast. He is a model of courage, compassion, and what it means to stand against injustice.
Why did you write Among Kings?
In our research, we learned that in the past 20 years over six million people have died in the Congo. It’s the world’s most overlooked humanitarian crisis. What began as curiosity turned into outrage. Here in America, outrage over the racism still in our society inspired us to pursue what an interracial friendship like Sheppard and Lapsley might offer us today.
