1920 - 1945
FIRST QUARTER: WE ARE HERE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS GROW FOR BLACKS IN CHARLOTTE
6th-grade students at Myers Street School in 1918, the first public school for Black children in Charlotte, NC.
TRY TO IMAGINE...
A time when education was the dream for many Black children. Education was a luxury in the eyes of Black families. It represented the key to opportunity and a better life.
A time when education was not available for every Black child. If a Black child had the chance to go to school, they were special because going to school was special.
A time when many White people believed that Black children did not need an education. A time when many White people believed that the community should not invest in education for Blacks.
A time when the Black community fought for schools.
A time when the Black community fought for the education of Black children.
...Just Imagine
 1920's - UptownPhoto Credit: Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission |  Mill HousesPhoto Credit: Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission |  1920's- E Trade StPhoto Credit: Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission |
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A LOOK AT CHARLOTTE
A HISTORICAL LOOK AT CHARLOTTE
In this clip, Tom Hanchett, a Charlotte historian highlights the historical sites throughout Charlotte in the Black community at the beginning of the 20th Century. Learn about where these historical sites are located, and if they are still standing today.
This video is great for understanding the culture in the Black community of Charlotte, and its connection to education for children.
THINGS TO KNOW...
BLACK SCHOOLS GROW
After Slavery Ended in 1865...
Black families were eager to educate their children. They believed education would create social mobility. Black churches immediately began creating schools. Education was spearheaded and led by the black community. They raised money to build their own schools and created their own curriculums. The first free public school for Black children paid for by tax dollars was Myers Street School in 1882.
SEPERATE BUT NOT EQUAL
Beginning in the 1920s...
There were no junior (middle) or high schools that existed in Charlotte. Most Black children were only taught what was known then as the 3 R's (reading, writing, and arithmetic) and received just six grades of education compared to twelve grades for White children. Black schools did not have the same resources as White schools. Funding was decided by politicians and city leaders who were White at the time.
BLACK HIGH SCHOOLS START
1920s and 1930s
In 1923, Second Ward High School, the first High School for African American students in Charlotte, NC was opened. Second Ward High School was located in the all-Black Brooklyn neighborhood which was eventually torn down by the city in the 60s. In 1938, West Charlotte opened as the 2nd all Black High School with 389 students. Second Ward and West Charlotte High School become rivals in sports which brought the Black community together through competition and comradery.
FIRST QUARTER: VIDEO ONE
In this clip, Pamela Grundy highlights the condition of education for Blacks at the beginning of the 20th century.
Pamela Grundy is a Charlotte historian and author of the book Color and Character which details the history of West Charlotte High School. Pamela provided four historical workshops to all youth involved in the Education of Blacks in Charlotte project.
Check out more articles written by Pamela Grundy on Charlotte's History with the Queen City Nerve.
CAPTURED MEMORIES
BLACK SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED
If you were a Black child in Charlotte during this era (1920 -1945), you would have attended one of the schools below for ALL BLACK CHILDREN.
Elementary Schools
Billingsville Elementary School (1927)
Isabella Wyche Elementary School
Marie G. Davis Elementary School
Morgan Elementary School (1925)
North Alexander Street School (1918)
Plato Price School
Sterling School
Junior High Schools
No Junior High Schools (Middle Schools) were established before the 1950s. Many of the schools listed as elementary schools served students from Kindergarten to graduation.
FIRST QUARTER: VIDEO TWO
In this clip, Pamela Grundy highlights the challenges that Blacks experienced to get primary, secondary, and higher-level education at the beginning of the 20th century.
Pamela Grundy is a Charlotte historian and author of the book Color and Character which details the history of West Charlotte High School. Pamela provided four historical workshops to all youth involved in the Education of Blacks in Charlotte project.
Check out more articles written by Pamela Grundy on Charlotte's History with the Queen City Nerve.
SCHOOL LIFE
"Our teachers stretched our imagination,
protected us in our uncertain world,
and set us out on a course to achieve great things.
The teachers were no non-sense, and entertained no excuses for children not learning."
-Thereasea Delerine "T.D" Elder
(September 2, 1927 – January 5, 2021)
Quote from the book T.D.'s TRUTHS
PICTURED ABOVE (LEFT):
Teachers at Fairview Elementary School in 1926.
PICTURED ABOVE (RIGHT):
A high school diploma in the 1940s from Second Ward High School. Notice how "colored" is emphasized on the diploma.
SCHOOL SPIRIT
SPORTS & RIVALS
PICTURED LEFT:
1940 Second Ward Cheerleaders and Basketball Team
PICTURED BELOW:
1938 West Charlotte Football Team
MAIN RIVAL: SECOND WARD HS AND WEST CHARLOTTE HS
IN THE NEWS
INTERVIEWS
Jennie Mason Interview
Former student and educator in Charlotte, NC, Jennie Mason, discusses her experience attending school during segregation with Mallard Creek High School students, Zionna Lilly and Asia Nash.
YOUTH CONTRIBUTIONS
Artwork by Aidan Lynch, Mallard Creek HS (2020)
STUDENT ARTIST AIDAN LYNCH REFLECTS ON UNITY BETWEEN BLACK SCHOOLS
Aidan (Mallard Creek High School) provides insight on the inspiration for his art contribution to this era and reflects on what he learned from his experience in the Education of Blacks in Charlotte project.
POEM: PROGRESS
Dedicated to the students and influencers of the era (1920 - 1945)
Some progress we’ve made
From separate water fountains,
From constantly being afraid
We have climbed several mountains,
Just to see there are many more...
We know this won’t be easy
To finally get treated as equals,
Compare life then to now and see
That this story will have many sequels,
But -- there will be progress, we're sure.
Poem by Zionna Lilly, Mallard Creek HS (2020)
Jamauri Young, 15
Once I applied myself to this project I learned about my own family history as well. I found out that my great grandmother went to Plato Price School and my great-great aunt as well. It was very cool to learn that a lot of my family went to schools where I researched. Unfortunately, I could not find their yearbook like I wish I could. Thank you guys for having me in this club and accepting me. Thank you Mr. Gist for looking into me from the class-- because anyone could have got this opportunity. Thank you.
Aidan Lynch, 15
I wish we could bring that same feeling of unity from this era to where we are today. I feel like that could help us in many ways in our current situation if we could come together and feel that unity nowadays that was shown back then.
Asia Nash, 17
I am not originally from Charlotte, and I haven’t even lived here for a year yet. So doing all of this research on this city was fascinating and new to me. From the pictures and learning that some of the schools from back in the day still exist such as West Charlotte is so cool. It was such an honor to be a part of this experience. I enjoyed everything down to the interviews, the research, and working with my peers. It was just really fun all around. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this experience.
Zionna Lilly, 16
This project was the perfect opportunity to learn the history of Charlotte. We were able to acquire
a better understanding of how Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools went from segregated to desegregated. We were also able to speak to a few individuals who lived during the times where schools were segregated and they told us what it was like for them to go from
segregated schools to desegregated schools and we were able to understand their experiences. While researching, we were able to get some visualizations of the kids and schools from the 1900s and we were also able to read news articles from the 1900’s.