Born on December 24, 1984, in a poor family in Margibi County, Liberia, he was raised by his illiterate parents, a rubber tapper and a petty trader. Patricks experienced a childhood marked by extreme poverty and child abuse, including being forced into child labor. He lost his aunt during the Liberian civil war and witnessed many atrocities. These early hardships motivated him to seek an education and a platform to fight against social inequalities and human rights abuses.
Patricks’s journey began with activism as a student. He founded a press club in secondary school to expose corruption and administrative misconduct, and he led a protest against Firestone-Liberia’s attempt to privatize his school. After graduating, he worked various jobs to fund his higher education, eventually earning an associate degree in public administration and later a bachelor’s degree in public administration and economics from Cuttington University. There, he founded another student movement, Campaigners for Change International, to advocate for student rights. He went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration from the same university.
As an activist, Patricks became a vocal critic of the Liberian government, leading to his repeated arrest, torture, and imprisonment on charges of sedition and libel. Despite these challenges, he has used his voice and influence to empower young Liberians and mentor emerging leaders. He has spoken at various international forums, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
In recognition of his work, Patricks received a scholarship to the Edward S. Mason Fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he earned a master’s degree in public administration. He was also selected as a McCain Global Leaders Fellow for his work in promoting democracy. As a candidate for the Liberian Senate, he aimed to transition from civic activism to political office to enact reforms and combat corruption. He continues to advocate for the rule of law, youth empowerment, and an end to corruption, seeing himself not as a “future leader” but as a leader of today.
