History of African American Education

First African American to Graduate from a College in the U.S.

1823

Alexander Lucius Twilight received his Bachelor's from Middlebury College in Vermont.
https://www.jbhe.com/chronology/

Nation's First African American Public High School

1870

Paul Laurence Dunbar High. Located in Washington, D.C.

First "Coloured" School

1890

Built in Winter Park, FL. Open to African American children under the harsh conditions at the time.

Plessy V. Ferguson Court Case

1896

This court case ruled racial segregation as the "separate but equal" doctrine. Jim Crow laws and separate public accommodations of race were a common occurrence.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/plessy-v-ferguson

American Negro Academy

1897

This academy is a scholarly and artistic organization was founded in Washington D.C. and focused on the empowerment and education of African Americans. It was founded by Alexander Crummell.

Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka

May 17, 1954

U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the racial segregation of the public schools was a violation to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.

President Eisenhower & Governor Orval Faubus ordered Airborne Division into Little Rock

1957

These two icons sent troops to escort the Little Rock 9 to and from school to ensure their safety.

Little Rock Nine Mobs

Sep 20, 1957

Mobs prevented Little Rock Nine from entering school. School officials sent the kids home. September 25, The U.S. troops to personally escort the students to ensure their safety.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

1965

This opportunity was made possible by the Higher Education Act of 1965, which increased federal funding for colleges and universities. https://www.britannica.com/topic/historically-black-colleges-and-universities

Number of African Americans Attending College 2000 to 2018

2018

From 2000 to 2018, college aged African Americans that attend college went from 31-37%