Instead of learning about civil rights icons and Black dignitaries in a textbook, Washington D.C. students will have the chance to meet the heroes in person, thanks to this year’s “Back to School With the Historymakers” event.
On Sept. 27, W. Gregory Wims, civil rights leader and one of the “Little Rock Nine,” civil rights activist Bernice Johnson Reagon, news producer Frank Smith and a host of other Black icons and dignitaries will appear in schools across the District.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will chair the nationwide effort with the goal of having more than 500 Black leaders go “back to school” in 68 cities in 30 states.
The program puts HistoryMakers in direct contact with over 25,000 students across the nation to inspire them with their life stories and to encourage youth to strive for excellence.
The theme of the day is “COMMIT.” The HistoryMakers will recount their own school experiences and the struggles they encountered on their paths to success.
HistoryMakers Founder and Executive Director Julieanna Richardson encourages educators everywhere to use The HistoryMakers digital archive to enrich their students exposure to the contributions of African Americans across the globe.
This year, schools participating in the event will receive a free one-year membership for the digital archive, which includes extensive and easy-to-access interviews with 310 HistoryMakers.
For a complete listing of participating schools and HistoryMakers in Washington, D.C., please see the attached list below.
| Schools | HistoryMakers |
| 1. Anacostia Senior High School |
1. Olden, Ken 2. Williamson, Samuel P. |
| 2. Ballou Senior High School |
3. Beane, DeAnna Banks 4. Weaver, Reginald |
| 3. Benjamin Banneker Academic High School |
5. Maclin, Arlene Paige 6. McKinney, Rufus W. |
| 4. Booker T. Washington PCHS |
7. Clarke, Priscilla 8. Clipper, Joseph Daniel 9. Foster, Robert |
| 5. Calvin Coolidge High School |
10. Carpenter, Joseph 11. Davidson, Joe 12. Peete, Nan Arrington |
| 6. Cardozo Senior High School |
13. Day, Agnes A 14. Donaldson, James Ashley |
| 7. Columbia Heights Educational Campus |
15. Cook, Jacques 16. Haynes, Leonard |
| 8. DIH: Benjamin & Gladys Amos (1) |
17. Holmes, Arthur 18. Ivey, Mary |
| 9. DIH: Ernest & Helene Campus (2) |
19. Hansberry, Gail A. 20. Sims-Wood, Janet Louise |
| 10. DIH: Ernest & Virginia Amos (3) – Lower |
21. Harris, Janette Hoston 22. Rolark-Barnes, Denise |
| 11. DIH: Wilson & Odessa Butler Campus (4) |
23. Morris, Frank 24. Reynolds, Barbara |
| 12. Ellington School Of The Arts |
25. Jackson, Raymond 26. Reagon, Bernice Johnson |
| 13. Friendship Collegiate Academy PCS |
27. Mitchell, Tyrone 28. Morris, Vernon R. |
| 14. Hoffman-Boston Elem. School | 29. Callender, Clive O. |
| 15. Hospitality High School of Washington, D.C. |
30. Bailey, Larry 31. Curry, George |
| 16. Howard D. Woodson Senior High School | 32. Ernest Green |
| 17. Luke C. Moore Academy |
33. Amos, Kent B. 34. Lawson, Jennifer |
| 18. Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy Public Charter School |
35. Grigsby, Marshall 36. Coleman, Milton Richard 37. Farmer, Sharon |
| 19. McKinley Technical Senior High School | 38. Hill, Darryl |
| 20. National Collegiate Preparatory PCHS |
39. Smith, Frank 40. Williams, E. Faye |
| 21. Paul Laurence Dunbar High School |
41. Robinson, Harry G. 42. Temple, Riley K. 43. Bolden, Scott |
| 22. Perry Street Prep Public Charter School |
44. Patton, Vincent W. 45. Saxton, Samuel |
| 23. Roberto W. Clemente Middle School | 46. Jackson, Alexine |
| 24. School Without Walls SHS |
47. McGee, Oliver George 48. Abron, Lilia A. 49. Sessoms, Allen Lee |
| 25. Shepherd Elementary |
50. Dellums, Leola “Roscoe” 51. Pierre, Zina |
| 26. The Washington Metropolitan High School |
52. Symonds, Curtis 53. McDaniel, Norman A. |
| 27. Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School | 54. Gilmore, Al-Tony |
| 28. Washington Latin Public Charter School |
55. Stanton, Robert 56. Harris, Robert L. |
| 29. Woodrow Wilson High School |
57. Bundles, A’Lelia 58. Wims, W. Gregory |