African American Education Archives and History Program

May we remember the past, celebrate progress, and continue working toward a brighter future for all. Happy Juneteenth.

🌟 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.

✨2006 Inductee | Robert Price

An African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame inductee (2006), Robert Price has dedicated his life to advancing educational opportunities and promoting civil rights for children and adults. His commitment to educational equity is reflected in decades of leadership and advocacy throughout the Dallas community.

In 1970, Price became co-chair of Advocates for Quality Education, and in 1973 he chaired the Skyline High School Parents, Students, Teachers, and Administrators Committee. This multicultural organization worked collaboratively with the school district to foster understanding, respect, and acceptance across racial and cultural lines.

Price later served three years as a Dallas Independent School District (DISD) trustee representing District 5. During his tenure, he championed initiatives that supported African American students, advocated for salary increases for teachers, administrators, and support staff, and fought for equitable resources and facilities in the predominantly African American East Oak Cliff subdistrict. As a board member, he chaired the Resource Committee, served on the Personnel Committee, and represented DISD on the Texas Council of Urban School Districts. He also promoted curriculum development, expanded support for early childhood education, and helped lead efforts resulting in the construction of the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center.

Following his service on the DISD Board, Price co-founded the Black Coalition to Maximize Education and became its first president. The coalition united representatives from 13 organizations, including the NAACP, PTAs, the Urban League, and the Dallas Regional National Alliance of Black School Educators. Under its leadership, the coalition intervened in the DISD desegregation lawsuit, a landmark court case that spanned more than two decades, from 1980 to 2003.

Through his unwavering advocacy, visionary leadership, and dedication to educational justice, Robert Price has left a lasting impact on public education and civil rights in Dallas.

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

And the star of the show—what’s a retreat without an awesome timekeeper? Roosevelt Vaughn Jr. (Hall of Fame Class of 2024) kept the agenda moving, leaning on his trusty clock and ringing his handy bell whenever a presenter’s time was up. Thank you so much, Mr. Vaughn, for providing this valuable service and helping keep everything on track!

Tuesday’s AAEAHP retreat was also a special time to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions throughout the year. Special presentations were made to Dr. Larry Lewis, Hall of Fame Class of 2025, for spearheading a successful Free Throw event that raised $25,000 for the organization. Ms. Kathryn Mitchell, Class of 2017, was also recognized as the namesake of the Kathryn Mitchell Community Service Award, which will be presented annually to a student in the TEACH Project. This year’s inaugural recipient is Jeremiah Bivens, a 2026 graduate of DeSoto High School.

Congratulations to Dr. Lewis, Ms. Mitchell, and Jeremiah Bivens!

Retired Educators Continue Their Work of Service
Retirement has not stopped these dedicated educators from continuing to recognize, uplift, and inspire others. The African American Education Archives and History Program, now entering its 25th year, held its annual retreat Tuesday, bringing together former educators and community supporters to strengthen efforts that honor outstanding educators and students, preserve essential archives, and celebrate the legacy of African American education.

To learn more about AAEAHP, visit aaeahp.org.

🌟 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.

✨2006 Inductee | Sandra D. Malone

An African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame inductee (2006), Sandra Malone is a distinguished educator and administrator whose career has had a lasting impact on public education in Texas. A native of Waco, Texas, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Prairie View A&M University and a Master of Education degree from Texas A&M University–Commerce.

Malone began her career in education in Abilene, Texas, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, before relocating to Dallas in 1970. She dedicated more than two decades of service to the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) as both a teacher and administrator. During her tenure, she taught at Frazier Elementary School and Bushman Elementary School before advancing to leadership roles within the district’s central administration.

Her administrative assignments included work in Guaranteed Performance, a federally funded initiative designed to improve educational effectiveness, as well as Research and Evaluation, Community Relations, and Desegregation Monitoring. In 1986, Malone was appointed administrator of the court-ordered Learning Centers, a position she held until her retirement from DISD in 1993.

Following her retirement, Malone founded Malone and Associates, Inc., where she served as the court-appointed auditor for the Honorable Barefoot Sanders of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Her expertise in educational accountability and school improvement also led to national service as a review panelist and site visitor for several U.S. Department of Education programs, including the Drug-Free Schools Recognition Program, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, and the Magnet Schools Assistance Program.

Through her leadership, commitment to educational equity, and dedication to excellence, Sandra Malone has made significant contributions to the advancement of public education and the opportunities available to students across Texas and the nation.

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

🌟 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.

✨2005 Inductee | Dr. Joseph L. Atkins

An inductee into the African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame in 2005, Joseph Atkins, a Dallas native, became a catalyst for change whose courage helped open the doors of higher education to thousands of Black students who followed in his footsteps.

After graduating from Lincoln High School in June 1954, Atkins applied for admission to the University of North Texas but was denied entry because of segregation. His determination to challenge this injustice sparked a landmark civil rights lawsuit that led a federal court to order the university to end its segregationist policies. As a result of his efforts, the University of North Texas became one of the first colleges and universities in the South to desegregate.

Unable to attend UNT at the time, Atkins earned a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from the University of Texas at El Paso. In 1967, he returned to the University of North Texas to earn a Master of Education degree.

In December 2004, the University of North Texas concluded its yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of desegregation by honoring Atkins as a “barrier-breaking alumnus” and awarding him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Atkins’ trailblazing legacy extended far beyond higher education. From 1963 to 1974, he taught at James Madison High School and North Dallas High School, where he inspired generations of students to become engaged, well-rounded citizens and helped prepare many for college and future success. His commitment to education, equality, and opportunity continues to leave a lasting impact on the Dallas community and beyond.

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

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. Their courage and service will never be forgotten.

🌟 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.

✨2005 Inductee | Dr. Caesar F. Toles

An African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame inductee (2005), Dr. Caesar Toles was born on a farm near Calvert, Texas. He distinguished himself early in life, graduating as valedictorian of his high school class in 1929. He went on to attend Bishop College, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1933.

Dr. Toles continued his academic journey at Iowa State University of Science and Technology in 1934, where he maintained a straight “A” average in psychology and teacher education. In 1945, he enrolled at the University of Michigan, earning a Master of Arts degree in 1947 and completing his Doctor of Philosophy in 1953.

His professional career began in 1933 as a science teacher at Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas. After relocating to Dallas, he taught science at Booker T. Washington High School from 1936 to 1955. He later served as principal of Joseph J. Rhoads Elementary School from 1955 until 1967.

Dr. Toles also made significant contributions to higher education, serving as a professor of education at Bishop College, a visiting professor at the University of Michigan, a professor of educational philosophy and history at Southern Methodist University, and a professor of education at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

Learn more about his impact: https://vimeo.com/866564553

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