Georgia's First All-Black High School Preserves Legacy of Excellence

Booker T. Washington High School stands as a living museum of history and achievement.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Georgia, is the state's first all-Black secondary school, founded in 1924 during the era of segregation. The school has a rich history that is preserved and celebrated through dedicated spaces honoring distinguished alumni, including Dr. Asa Yancey, Emory University's first African-American faculty member, and a room dedicated to alumnus Martin Luther King Jr. The school's historian, Marcia A. Wynn, known as Ms. Wynn, ensures the school's story is told, while the principal and students work to uphold the school's legacy of excellence.

Why it matters

Booker T. Washington High School serves as a powerful symbol of the African-American community's resilience and determination to provide quality education during a time of segregation. The school's commitment to preserving its history and honoring its distinguished alumni inspires current students to continue the tradition of excellence.

The details

The school's history is highlighted through various displays and dedicated rooms, including a replica of the "Lifting the Veil of Ignorance" statue from Tuskegee University, which stands at the school's entrance. The school's football team has a tradition of surrounding this statue before games, as a reminder of their heritage and the possibilities that education can unlock. Inside, display cases and rooms are dedicated to alumni such as Dr. Asa Yancey and a room honoring Martin Luther King Jr., who was a former student.

  • Booker T. Washington High School was founded in 1924 during the era of segregation.
  • The school's dedicated rooms and displays were created after the COVID-19 pandemic, at the request of the school's historian, Marcia A. Wynn.

The players

Booker T. Washington High School

Georgia's first all-Black secondary school, founded in 1924 during the era of segregation.

Marcia A. Wynn

The school's historian, known as Ms. Wynn, who ensures the school's story is told.

Tiauna Crooms

The principal of Booker T. Washington High School.

Alisha Rosser

A legacy graduate of Booker T. Washington High School who returned as a teacher, and whose son now attends the school.

Belle Williams

A junior student at Booker T. Washington High School who believes the school's environment of excellence inspires students to excel.

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What they’re saying

“We're lifting the veil daily just as the slave is in the statue. We're lifting the veil of ignorance as the slave is in the statue. If we don't tell our story, who's going to tell it?”

— Marcia A. Wynn, School Historian (CBS News Atlanta)

“It's one of the traditions that Washington High School does, especially with our football team, before they go to play a game, they surround themselves around the statue that's out front. It's a remembrance of what you embody, where you came from, and the possibilities of what you can do.”

— Tiauna Crooms, Principal (CBS News Atlanta)

“The path for teaching was not something that I chose. It was chosen for me. I wanted to come here so we can continue to build on a legacy in the backs of those that came before us.”

— Alisha Rosser, Legacy Graduate and Teacher (CBS News Atlanta)

“You are what you see. If you are in an environment where everyone is held to the same standard of excellence, you will fall into the same standard of excellence.”

— Belle Williams, Junior Student (CBS News Atlanta)

What’s next

The school plans to continue preserving and honoring its rich history, ensuring that the legacy of Booker T. Washington High School is passed down to future generations of students.

The takeaway

Booker T. Washington High School stands as a testament to the power of education and the resilience of the African-American community. By preserving its history and inspiring students to strive for excellence, the school continues to be a beacon of hope and a symbol of the transformative impact that quality education can have, even in the face of adversity.