More Than a Name: Honoring Black History in Texas Schools
Each February, we celebrate the history and cultural contributions of Black Americans in the United States. Across Texas, many schools proudly bear the names of influential Black leaders, educators, and community trailblazers. Behind each campus name is a story of determination and a belief in the power of education. Below, we highlight several of these campuses, along with additional resources for learning more about the stories of Black Texans.
- Jack Yates High School (Houston ISD): Named for Reverend Jack Yates, a former slave and community leader who helped found Emancipation Park.
- Barbara Jordan High School for Careers (Houston ISD): Named for the Houston native and first African American woman from the South to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy (Houston ISD): Named for Congressman Mickey Leland, an anti-hunger advocate.
- Audrey Hoffman Lawson Middle School (Houston ISD): Named for a prominent community activist and founder of the Lawson Academy.
- Dr. Archie Blanson CTE High School (Aldine ISD): Named for the long-time educator, Aldine ISD deputy superintendent and president of Lone Star College.
- Odessa Kilpatrick Elementary (Katy ISD): Named for Odessa Kilpatrick, a legendary educator who taught for over four decades.
- B.C. Elmore High School (Aldine ISD): Named after the first principal and community leader Bennie Carl Elmore.
- I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA (Fort Worth ISD): Named for Isaiah Milligan Terrell, the first principal of Fort Worth’s first Black public school.
- Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. Early College High School (Dallas ISD): Named for the first African American chancellor of the Dallas College System.
- L.C. Anderson/Eastside Early College High School (Austin ISD): Named for Laurine Cecil Anderson, a pioneer of Black education in Texas.
- Kealing Middle School (Austin ISD): Named for Hightower Theodore Kealing, an educator, editor, and activist.
- Volma Overton Elementary (Austin ISD): Named for Volma Overton, the civil rights leader who led the fight to desegregate Austin’s public schools.
- Wilhelmina Delco Elementary (Pflugerville ISD): Named for the first African American elected to the Austin ISD school board and the Texas House of Representatives.
- Mary Jane Sims Elementary (Austin ISD): Named for a teacher who established vital early childhood education programs for Black families.
- E.C. Struggs Middle School (Lubbock ISD): Named for Edward Cecil “Prof” Struggs, an educator who led the development of the African American schools in Lubbock, Texas.
- Charlton-Pollard Elementary School (Beaumont ISD): Named for Frances V. Charlton and Thomas Titus Pollard, pioneers in education and community leaders.
These campuses are just a few examples. The following resources offer more information on the history and contributions of Black Texans.
- Texas State History Museum – The African American Story
From the Bullock Texas State History Museum, this website provides a historical overview of the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans in Texas. - Texas State Historical Association Handbook of African American Texas
The Handbook of African American Texas contains more than 850 entries written to create greater awareness and increase research on the roles and contributions that Black Texans have made to their neighborhoods, cities, state, and often the nation and beyond.
These and other resources are available through the Texas Education Agency’s Black History Month webpage.
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