Lucie Eddie Campbell (1885-1963)
Composer, Singer of Hymns, Educator, and Advocate for Social Justice.
Black History Month is one of the nation's oldest organized history celebrations, highlighting the contributions of African Americans as an important part of the national story.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools is excited to celebrate Black History Month. Learn how we are honoring the past and seeing the future. Click here to visit our one-stop shop for information on Black History Month events, contests, social media challenges, and more.
LOCAL HISTORICAL FACTS
In October 1961, 13 African-American first-grade students became some of the smallest pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement when they desegregated the Memphis City Schools. This amazing group of first-grade, history makers became known as The Memphis 13.
The first free "colored" school in the city was opened in early 1863 in a barrack building in South Memphis. By 1965, there were 9 schools established. All were burned during the May 1866 race riot. In 1868-69 there were again 9 schools in operation in various locations in the city. These schools were known as the Schools for Freedmen.
The Rosenwald Schools were created in the earliest 20th century to give Black students in the segregated South an opportunity at educational advancement. Brooks Avenue School, originally located in Whitehaven, was one of 60 Rosenwald Schools in Shelby County.
Manassas High was established in 1899 and it was the first four-year accredited "colored" high school in Shelby County. The first senior class graduated in 1924. Manassas initiated the first sports program among black schools in Memphis in 1924.
Melrose High was established in 1890 and was the pride of the Orange Mound neighborhood. The school was named after Dr. Melrose, a philanthropist and humanitarian. Melrose became part of the Memphis City Schools in 1919.
MSCS SCHOOL NAMESAKES
Dr. William Herbert Brewster (1897-1932)
Baptist Minister, Community Leader, Singer, Poet, Radio Show Host, and Composer.
Robert Reed Church (1839-1912)
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Businessman, Founder of First Black-Owned Bank of Memphis, and First African American Millionaire in the South.
Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)
Novelist, Playwright, and First African-American Poet to Earn National Distinction.
Maxine Smith (1929-2013)
Civil Rights Activist, NAACP Executive Secretary, State Government Employee, and President of Memphis Board of Education.
Ida B. Wells (1862-1931)
Investigative journalist, Educator, Early Leader in the Civil Rights Movement, and one of the Founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Green Polonius Hamilton (1867-1932)
Lifelong Educator, Principal of Kortrecht High School, First Principal of B.T.W. High School, and Author.
George Washington Carver (1864-1943)
Botanist, Chemist, Scientist, College Professor, and Inventor.
Frederick Douglass (1817-1895)
Social Reformer, Abolitionist, Speaker, Author, and Statesman, most known for his speeches and incisive antislavery writings.
Booker Taliaferro Washington (1856-1915)
Educator, Author, and African-American Civil Rights Leader.
Antonio Maceo Walker (1909-1994)
Businessman, President of Universal Life Insurance Company, and Founder of Tri-State Bank of Memphis.
Dr. Hollis F. Price (1904-1982)
Educator, Humanitarian, Producer and Executive Director of Community Affairs for WMC-TV, Channel 5 in Memphis, and the first African-American President of Lemoyne Owen College.
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