African American Education Archives and History Program

09/04/2026

Let’s look at one AAEAHP program making a difference in our community.

📚 The AAEAHP Sankofa Children’s Center connects children with culturally enriching literacy, arts, and educational experiences at the African American Museum of Dallas. Upcoming events include the September Mandela Read-A-Thon and October Sankofa Book Club & Dress Your Doll Day. Volunteers and donations are welcome this to ensure continued success!

🔗https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/African-American-Education-Archives-And-History-Program

09/02/2026

Congratulations to the AAEAHP Education Hall of Fame Class of 2027! AAEAHP President Lincoln Butler, Sr. has announced this year’s honorees:

Dr. Vern L. Alexander
Douglas Baskin
Fred Davis, III
Richard H. Davis
Dr. Alton L. Frailey
Dr. Donna Freeling-Blackburn
Ollie M. Gilstrap
Stephanie A. Hawthorne
Dr. Patricia G. Lewis
Dr. Alfred L. Roberts, Sr.

We are also proud to recognize Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price with the Trailblazer Award and President of Paul Quinn College, Dr. Michael Sorrell, with the Presidential Award.

Join us as we celebrate these leaders at the annual Bobbie L. Lang Hall of Fame Luncheon at noon on Saturday, April 10, 2027, at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel. Tickets, ads, and sponsorship opportunities will be announced soon. Watch our page and website for details!

09/01/2026

Hall of Fame Highlight 🌟
Established to honor excellence and leadership, the African American Education Archives and History Program’s Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have shaped African American education in Dallas County since 1902. Join us in the weeks ahead as we highlight their contributions and enduring influence on our community.

✨2007 Inductee | Hassell Tanksley

An African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame inductee (2007), Hassell Tanksley began his education in Georgetown, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas, followed by a Master of Education degree from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.

Tanksley began his distinguished career in education in 1940 as a teacher and coach at Paul Quinn College. He later joined the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) as a teacher and coach, where his leadership helped his teams achieve several championships. In 1974, he was appointed assistant principal at Lincoln High School. After 41 years of dedicated service to DISD, Tanksley retired in 1982.

Beyond the classroom and athletic field, Tanksley was a devoted mentor to neighborhood youth, particularly during the years his own children were growing up. He encouraged young people to embrace honesty, integrity, responsibility, and the values essential to becoming individuals of strong character and good citizenship.

His commitment to service extended throughout the Dallas community. Tanksley volunteered with Dallas Big Brothers and the Boy Scouts and remained actively involved with the alumni associations of both Paul Quinn College and Prairie View A&M University.

Through his lifelong dedication to education, mentorship, athletics, and community service, Hassell Tanksley made a lasting impact on generations of students and young people and earned his place in the African American Educators Hall of Fame.

Learn more about his impact: https://vimeo.com/866961009

📍 Come visit the Educators Hall of Fame exhibit at the African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas — open Tuesday–Saturday.

08/28/2026

🎉 is September 17!

Support the African American Education Archives and History Program as we preserve the history of African American education in Dallas County. Your gift helps us collect and preserve the artifacts, documents, and images that tell these important stories.

Giving is now open!
🔗https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/African-American-Education-Archives-And-History-Program

PROGRAMS The Hall of Fame identifies and recognizes educators and those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the educational experiences of African Americans in Dallas County. They are historical and contemporary. Since 2004, 193 individuals have been in...

08/26/2026

Enjoyed “Renaissance Holidays Reimagined” as a guest of the Renaissance Dallas Hotel Annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon today. Thanks to AAEAHP member Patricia Ward for making the trip with me (Loretta Simon). We enjoyed great food, fun, fellowship and wonderful music by K Cooks, Dallas based music artist and performer, and Clover, The Violinist.

08/25/2026

🌟 Hall of Fame Highlight 🌟
Established to honor excellence and leadership, the African American Education Archives and History Program’s Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have shaped African American education in Dallas County since 1902. Join us in the weeks ahead as we highlight their contributions and enduring influence on our community.

✨2007 Inductee | Dr. Theodore R. Lee, Jr.

An African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame inductee (2007), Dr. Theodore Lee dedicated his life to education and service. He attended Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Science, followed by a Master of Education from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. He later earned a Doctorate of Religion from Rialto College in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Lee devoted his career to serving students and educators at both the elementary and college levels. His distinguished career included teaching at Julia C. Frazier Elementary School in the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) and serving as principal of Oliver W. Holmes Middle School, George W. Carver Elementary School, Elisha M. Pease Elementary School, and A.S. Johnston Elementary School. He also served as deputy assistant superintendent for DISD and associate dean of students at the University of North Texas.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Lee was deeply committed to his community and civic service. His numerous awards, certificates, and special recognitions reflect a lifetime of leadership, dedication, and service to education.

Through his enduring impact on students, educators, and the broader community, Dr. Theodore Lee earned his well-deserved place in the African American Educators Hall of Fame.

Learn more about his impact: https://vimeo.com/866960921

📍 Come visit the Educators Hall of Fame exhibit at the African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas — open Tuesday–Saturday.

08/19/2026

It’s that time again! Judging is underway for the Education Hall of Fame nominations and special award categories.

Pictured is AAEAHP President Lincoln Butler, Sr., after picking up the notebooks containing this year’s nominee packets from Hall of Fame Chair Loretta Simon.

Best of luck to all nominees! The 2027 inductees will be announced on September 1.
The 2027 Annual Recognition of Inductees and Special Awardees will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2027, at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for this special celebration!

08/17/2026

🌟 Hall of Fame Highlight 🌟
Established to honor excellence and leadership, the African American Education Archives and History Program’s Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have shaped African American education in Dallas County since 1902. Join us in the weeks ahead as we highlight their contributions and enduring influence on our community.

✨2007 Inductee | Dr. Harold W. Lang Sr.

Dr. Harold Lang, Sr., an African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame inductee (2007), was a distinguished educator, respected scholar and historian, civic leader, devoted family and church leader, and passionate advocate for human rights. Born in Dallas, Texas, he attended Phillis Wheatley Elementary School and graduated from Lincoln High School in the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, a Master of Education degree from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.

Dr. Lang dedicated his career to advancing educational excellence through teaching, leadership, and scholarship. He taught at both the elementary and secondary levels in Bremond, Texas, and later in the Dallas Independent School District. His expertise also led him to serve as a consultant for faculty and administrative groups, education service centers, and the Bishop College Integration Institute. In addition, he taught graduate courses in supervision and curriculum at Prairie View A&M University, helping prepare future generations of educational leaders.

From 1957 to 1971, Dr. Lang served as principal of N.W. Harllee Elementary School in DISD, where he was recognized for his visionary leadership and commitment to student achievement. In 1971, he was appointed director of system-wide testing for the district. Four years later, he became director-principal of the Lincoln High School Renewal Project, serving from 1975 to 1980. As an educational leader and agent of change, Dr. Lang believed every student who entered Lincoln High School should know they were capable of academic excellence, and he worked tirelessly to instill that belief in students, educators, and the broader school community.

Beyond his work in education, Dr. Lang made significant contributions as an author and historian. He published articles on elementary education and African American history and produced a copyrighted educational brochure highlighting African American historical contributions. In 1966, he edited and compiled The Negro in American History, an exhibit presented at the State Fair of Texas for the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, helping preserve and celebrate the rich history and achievements of African Americans.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Harold Lang, Sr. exemplified scholarship, leadership, and service. His unwavering commitment to education, historical preservation, and equal opportunity continues to inspire educators, students, and community leaders throughout Dallas and beyond.

Learn more about his impact: https://vimeo.com/866960801

📍 Come visit the Educators Hall of Fame exhibit at the African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas — open Tuesday–Saturday.

08/13/2026

Kudos to Carolyn Thompson, Team Lead for the AAEAHP Orientation Seminar for new members and volunteers, for leading another successful event this week!

Thank you as well to the many AAEAHP members who participated as presenters and helped make the seminar informative, welcoming, and engaging.

Most of all, thank you to our new members who came ready to learn more about AAEAHP and sign up to serve on various committees. We are excited to have you involved and look forward to the great work ahead!

Interested in becoming a member of AAEAHP? Contact our Membership Chair, Thelma Kelly, at [email protected] to learn how you can join and get connected.

08/10/2026

🌟 Hall of Fame Highlight 🌟
Established to honor excellence and leadership, the African American Education Archives and History Program’s Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have shaped African American education in Dallas County since 1902. Join us in the weeks ahead as we highlight their contributions and enduring influence on our community.

✨2007 Inductee | Howard D. Kirven

Howard D. Kirven, an African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame inductee (2007), devoted 49 years of distinguished service to the Dallas Independent School District (DISD), leaving an enduring legacy of educational excellence and student achievement.

Kirven began his career as a mathematics teacher before becoming director of the Paul Dunbar Learning Center. Under his leadership, innovative instructional methods were introduced that enhanced teaching practices and significantly improved student performance.

He later served as principal of James Madison High School, J.W. Ray Elementary School, and Julia C. Frazier Elementary School. During the final 15 years of his career, he led J. Leslie Patton Intermediate School, where his commitment to academic excellence earned the school a Texas Education Agency designation of either Recognized or Exemplary every year of his tenure.

In recognition of his extraordinary leadership and lasting contributions to education, the Howard D. Kirven Media Center at the John Leslie Patton Jr. Academic Center was dedicated in his honor in 2001.

Throughout nearly five decades of service, Howard D. Kirven inspired students, empowered educators, and established a standard of excellence that continues to influence the Dallas Independent School District. His unwavering dedication to educational innovation and student success has left a lasting impact on generations of learners and educators alike.

Learn more about his impact: https://vimeo.com/866961056

📍 Come visit the Educators Hall of Fame exhibit at the African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas — open Tuesday–Saturday.