Every February is Black History Month in the United States, and it is a time to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of the Black community. Please join ATPE in honoring Black History Month as we highlight three pioneering Black educators, their accomplishments, and how they helped promote education equality.

 

Carlotta Walls LaNier

The Little Rock Nine was a group of nine Black students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas in 1957. The youngest of the group, Carlotta Walls LaNier, is currently active in several organizations and serves as the president of the Little Rock Nine Foundation. The organization provides financial aid and mentoring to help promote equality in education for children of color.

She was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton in 1999, the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP, and the Lincoln Leadership Prize by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation. She is also in the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame and has four honorary doctorate degrees.

On top of these achievements, she was also the first Black woman to walk across Central High School’s stage for graduation.

Source: National Women’s Hall of Fame

 

Kelly Miller

Miller became the first graduate student at Johns Hopkins University. While there, he studied mathematics and physics. He later taught mathematics and sociology at Howard University, the college where he earned his bachelor’s degree. Additionally, Miller helped create the American Negro Academy, as well as helped edit Crisis, for the official publication of the NAACP.

He also served as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard until 1918.

Source: Educators of America

 

Inez Beverly Prosser

A Texan, Prosser had the distinction of becoming the first Black female psychologist. Her teaching career began in Austin after she earned a two-year certificate from Prairie View A&M University. She eventually finished her bachelor’s degree at Samuel Huston College in Austin in 1926. Due to segregation, Prosser left Texas to earn her master’s degree at the University of Colorado and, in 1993, her doctorate in psychology at the University of Cincinnati.

Later, she taught at Tillotson College in Austin and then at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi.

Source: American Psychological Association

 These resources are full of information and activities on Black history for your classroom:

• Educator Resources for Black History Month – National Gallery of Art
• Black History Month Resource Guide for Educators and Families – Center for Racial Justice in Education
• Black History Month for Teachers – The Library of Congress
• The African American Story – Bullock Texas State History Museum
• Meaningful Black History Month Activities for Kids – Teachstarter.com
• 42 Black History Month Activities for February and Beyond – Weareteachers.com