Learn about the education of African American students in Fairfax County before the schools were integrated. Presented by members of the Luther Jackson High School Alumni Association. Adults and teens.

Background:

The first public high schools in Fairfax County began operation in 1907. However, from 1907 to 1954, there was no public high school in Fairfax County for African American children. These students were not allowed to attend "neighborhood" schools near their homes. The only options for students who wanted to continue their education beyond the seventh grade were to travel to the Industrial School of Manassas or bear the expense of traveling daily to Washington, D.C.

After years of work, community leaders were able to have Luther Jackson High School built for the secondary education of African American students. It was named for Dr. Luther Porter Jackson, a history professor at Virginia State University who was known for chronicling the history of Black Virginians and for encouraging his contemporaries to vote. The school opened in 1954 and operated as a high school for Black students 11 years. The last class to graduate from the high school was the class of 1965. During its operation it was the only high school for students of African American Heritage in the county, some of whom had to travel up to 50 miles a day to learn.

The school is now Luther Jackson Middle School and welcomes all students.

Background adapted from a history provided by the Luther Jackson High School Alumni Association, Inc. 

Speakers:

Louvenia Johnson, Ronald Reaves and Camille Washington Brown, members of the Luther Jackson High School Alumni Association.

Stop by for more local history every month!