Did You Know?
• Bowden Academy was named after Artemisia Bowden, a school administrator and civic leader.
• 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. Mrs. Cameron was the first African American to be named principal in an SAISD school.
• 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.
• Douglass Academy was named after Frederick Douglass, the social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman.
• Gates Elementary was named after Samuel H. Gates, a former Grant Elementary principal and longtime administrator in the San Antonio public schools.
• Miller Elementary 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.
• 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.
• Young Men's Leadership Academy at Wheatley was named after Phillis Wheatley, a famous 18th century African American poet. The campus was originally opened as Wheatley High School in 1933. YMLA kept the historic namesake of Wheatley to honor those who attended the only high school for African Americans during segregation.
2024 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
SAAACAM's Black History in San Antonio Curriculum
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
Black History Month from iCivics