Did You Know?

• Bella Cameron Elementary was named after a black woman who entered the teaching profession with SAISD in 1919.  She was appointed principal of Cuney Elementary School in 1941 and later of Washington Elementary School in 1964.   As Mr. George Washington Gates holds the honor of  being the first African American to have a school named after him, Mrs. Cameron was the first African American to be named principal in an SAISD school.

• Douglass Academy was named after Frederick Douglass, the social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman.

• Miller Academy was named after Dorie Miller, a Navy Cook Third Class who distinguished himself by courageous conduct and devotion to duty during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. 

• Gates Elementary was named after Samuel H. Gates, a former Grant Elementary principal and longtime administrator in the San Antonio public schools.
• Bowden Academy was named after Artemisia Bowden, a school administrator and civic leader.

• M.L. King Academy was named after Martin Luther King, Jr., the acclaimed civil rights leader.

• Washington Elementary was named after Booker T. Washington, an American educator, author, orator, and advisor to presidents of the United States.

• Davis Middle School was named after Stonewall Jackson Davis, the first Black trustee on the San Antonio Library Board. He also served as member of the St. Philip’s College faculty.

2023 Black History Month Resources 

Black History Month from the San Antonio Public Library

Black History Month from the Library of Congress

San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum

African Americans in Texas from the Bullock Museum

The Sugar Land 95 from Fort Bend ISD

National Archives Portal - African American History

National Endowment for the Humanities - African American History and Culture

Black History Month from the National Park Service