Samuel Jackman Prescod NH (c. 1806 – 26 September 1871) became the first person of African descent to be elected to the Parliament of Barbados, in 1843.

He also helped found the Liberal Party, whose following included small landowners, businessmen, and coloured clerks.

Although it was said that Prescod bore "no distinguishing marks of negro complexion" he was still subject to the racial discrimination endemic at that time.

Even though he was well educated, a journalist and an acknowledged leader of the coloured community, he was thrown out of the Barbados House of Representatives for observing the political process like any other citizen was entitled to.

[6] The paper got into financial difficulties and Prescod was able to buy it in partnership with a man called Thomas Harris.

The picture above shows him in a painting made to commemorate the event which attracted delegates from America, France, Haiti, Australia, Ireland, Jamaica and Barbados.

[8] In July 1840, Prescod wrote to the Colonial Office in Barbados as a leader of the coloured community.

[9] This was important, since the white owners were using this as a device to prevent other races from entering the land-owning middle class.

[7] 1840 must have been a very busy year for Prescod, as not only was he writing letters of protest and travelling to Europe and back but he also served eight days in gaol for criminal libel arising out of his editorial freedom with The Liberal newspaper.

According to the government, the act established that 28 April (the centenary of the birth of Sir Grantley Adams) would be celebrated as National Heroes' Day.

The act also declared that there are ten national heroes of Barbados, all of whom would be elevated to the title of "The Right Excellent".