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As I prepare to share some of Washington’s amazing African American History for Black History Month, I want to also share the legacy of my family’s academic education of Black History.

My mother and her five siblings attended the Washington Colored School as it was called back then. Construction was completed in 1924.

The new school was erected at Bridge and Seventh Streets in Washington. Before the school was built, Black students attended schools in three different buildings located in the Black community, (more about those schools later.) This building housed primary through high school students. At that time, the eleventh grade was as high as the grade system went.

Fourteen years later in 1938, my mom was in high school here. She, and all the students celebrated a school-wide event of what was called back then, ‘Negro History Week’ hosted by the school’s principal and faculty.

The principal of the school, Professor Peter Simon Jones, (who P. S. Jones High school was named for), had all the classes participate in a three-day event. Professor Jones was a highly educated man in Black History. He wanted to ensure that all the students knew and celebrated the achievements and accomplishments of great Black men and women who contributed so much to education, science, math, literature and athletics to this country.

One-hour morning programs were held throughout the week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All the students attended and the entire community was encouraged to attend. The programs included the School’s Glee Club singing Spirituals, and presentations of themes that highlighted the notable achievements of Black men and women in the arts, athletics, education, literature, music and science.

Each class made a presentation. My mom, who liked to write, participated in the writing contest. My Aunt Viola, (mom’s sister) was in Mrs. Gaston’s class. Her class made a presentation about ‘The Negro in Literature and Athletics.’ Each student made a poster of a famous author or well-known African American sports figure. Mrs. Gaskin gave a speech that highlighted the posters the students had made.

My mother’s youngest brother Leroy, (who was in the sixth grade) and his class read poems written by Black poets. The theme for their class was ‘Books and Poems of Negro Writers.’ Uncle Leroy and a few other of his classmates recited poems written by Black authors.

I am so proud to know that long before I was born, my family’s education system celebrated a vital part of this country’s history. Hearing their participation in school events like these inspired me. By the time I was nine years old, I was planning ‘Negro History Week’ programs at the I. B. Turner Library, the Black community’s library.

I am grateful for this precious legacy.