Honoring Legendary Black Educators
In addition to awarding money to worthy students, the Legends Trust Fund was created to honor African American teachers and administrators who gave so much of themselves to make a difference in the lives of their students. Many of today’s successful residents of Greenwood and hundreds of communities across the country are beneficiaries of their sacrifices and their willingness to labor under the “Separate But Equal” doctrine established in the landmark case of Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896.
Although that case dealt with interstate travel, its ruling that it is justifiable, indeed, appropriate, that Blacks and whites be separate if they were provided equal accommodations. This doctrine was applied to all aspects of American life, especially education.
We know that although the facilities were separate, they were in no way equal. To be specific, the amount of money the state allocated for the education of a black child was far below that allocated for a white child.
Textbooks were second-hand and preached a notion of inferiority that was designed to dash the aspirations of Blacks; the equipment in chemistry and physics laboratories and in the gymnasium was woefully inadequate; Black teachers did not receive the same compensation for their labor as did white teachers.
This inequality continued long after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in May 1954, which overturned the doctrine of “Separate But Equal.” That so many people have excelled in all areas of endeavor is testament to the hard work and dedication of these remarkable teachers.
A goal of the Legends Trust Fund was to establish a scholarship in their honor and ask that you join me in honoring a teacher or administrator who made a difference in your life and in the lives of others as well.
Legendary Black Educators
Solomon Outlaw
Solomon “Chief” Outlaw was a gifted instructor who made learning as pleasant as history could be made for teenagers. He had a way of making historical figures come alive.
Olivia W. Perry
A graduate of Bennett College in North Carolina, Mrs. Perry taught English and French, coached the debate team, and played the piano for Strangers Home Baptist Church during its regular worship service.
Nominate An Educator For Recognition
To nominate an individual, you need to contribute at least $250.00 to the fund. This entitles you to make one nomination. Anyone contributing $500.00 or more may make two nominations. Those who contribute $5,000 or more, may make three nominations, which is the greatest number of nominations that any one person can make.
THE LEGENDS TRUST FUND
Community Uplift Through Education
Address
P.O. Box 1834
Greenwood, MS 38935