February is Black History Month, an opportunity to recognize individuals in history whose dedication to education helped shape more equitable learning opportunities for generations of students. Many black educators not only taught in classrooms but also challenged systems, built schools, created curriculum, and expanded access to education for both children and adults. Their work continues to influence how we think about teaching, learning, and equal opportunity today.
Below are seven black educators whose contributions left a lasting mark on education.
- Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator, activist, and the founder of what is now Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Born to formerly enslaved parents, she believed deeply in the power of education to change lives. Bethune focused on providing educational opportunities for Black students who had been excluded from traditional institutions. She also advised U.S. presidents and worked tirelessly to expand educational access, especially for black women and girls.
- Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington was an educator and the founder of Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University in Alabama. He emphasized practical education and skill-building as a pathway to economic independence for Black Americans following the Civil War. While some of his views sparked debate, his impact on expanding educational access and on building institutions for Black students was significant and long-lasting.
- W. E. B. Du Bois
W. E. B. Du Bois was a scholar, writer, and educator who believed strongly in the importance of academic excellence and higher education. As one of the first Black Americans to earn a PhD from Harvard University, he challenged limiting views of black education and advocated for intellectual opportunities. His writing and teaching helped shape conversations about education, equity, and civil rights.
- Septima Poinsette Clark
Septima Clark was an educator and civil rights leader who believed literacy was the foundation of empowerment. She helped create citizenship schools that taught reading, writing, and civic engagement to black adults who had been denied access to education. Her work played a significant role in enabling people to pass voter literacy tests and participate more fully in democracy.
- Anna Julia Cooper
Anna Julia Cooper was a scholar, educator, and advocate for the education of black women. She earned a doctorate from the University of Paris at a time when very few women, especially black women, had access to advanced education. Cooper spent her career teaching and writing about the importance of education as a tool for social progress and equality.
- Marva Collins
Marva Collins was a teacher and education reformer who founded the Westside Preparatory School in Chicago. She believed that all children were capable of high-level learning when given the right expectations and support. Her work challenged assumptions about student ability and highlighted the importance of high standards, structure, and belief in students.
- Carter G. Woodson
Carter G. Woodson was an educator and historian often referred to as the Father of Black History. He founded Negro History Week, which later became Black History Month. Woodson believed that education should include accurate and meaningful representation of Black history and contributions. His work reshaped curriculum and continues to influence what students learn today.
These educators shared a belief that education is a powerful force for change. Their efforts remind us that learning is not just about academics, but about empowering students to understand their potential and their place in the world. Celebrating their legacies during Black History Month helps us to keep their memory alive and encourages students to see education as a tool for growth and possibility.