Georgia’s First All-Black High School Inspires a Legacy of Excellence

Booker T. Washington High School, founded in 1924 in Atlanta during the time of legal segregation, has become a symbol of academic success and cultural pride. Nearly 102 years after opening, it was the first public high school for Black students in Georgia.

The school’s lasting impact is seen in the lives of its notable alumni, committed educators, and current students who redefine excellence in the 21st century.

At the entrance, a replica of Tuskegee University’s “Lifting the Veil of Ignorance” statue stands as a strong symbol of educational empowerment. Before every football game, the team gathers around the statue.

According to reports, Principal Tiauna Crooms describes this ritual as “a remembrance of what you embody, where you came from, and the possibilities of what you can do.”

“This isn’t just brick and mortar,” Crooms said. “It’s a living reminder of the sacrifices and resilience that built this institution.”

A Century of Legacy

Booker T. Washington High School was established by the Atlanta Board of Education when Jim Crow laws kept African American students out of the city’s white schools. It quickly became more than just a school; it turned into a center of community strength and hope.

Among its notable alumni are civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and famous entertainer Lena Horne. Both of whom have made a significant impact on American culture.

The school was officially recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, ensuring its contributions to educational equity and civil rights are preserved for future generations.

Preserving History and Inspiring Future Leaders

Much of Booker T. Washington’s legacy lives on through carefully curated displays and dedicated rooms that tell its remarkable history. School historian Marcia A. Wynn has worked to transform former storage areas filled with artifacts into lively spaces that educate students about the school’s past.

“We’re lifting the veil daily just as the slave is in the statue,” Wynn said. “If we don’t tell our story, who’s going to tell it?”

For legacy teacher Alisha Rosser, returning to teach at the school where she once learned represents the continuation of that story. “The path for teaching was not something that I chose. It was chosen for me,” Rosser said. “I wanted to come here so we can continue to build on a legacy in the backs of those that came before us.”

Junior student Belle Williams shared this feeling, saying the atmosphere itself encourages excellence: “You are what you see. If you are in an environment where everyone is held to the same standard of excellence, you will fall into the same standard of excellence.”

From Segregation to Celebration

In recent years, the school’s significant influence has garnered broader recognition. In 2024, a historical marker was unveiled as part of Georgia’s Civil Rights Trail to celebrate the school’s centennial and its role in shaping leaders and artists.

Alumni and community members came together for the occasion, with a 98-year-old graduate recalling how the campus statue inspired students to aim for greatness.

As Georgia and the nation reflect on issues of educational equity and racial justice, institutions like Booker T. Washington High School act as living reminders of both progress and ongoing challenges. Their stories continue to motivate students and educators alike.