TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo Public Schools is celebrating 175 years and part of the celebration this month is focusing on the first Black people to integrate the district.
Dozens gathered at Scott High School Thursday to hear about the district's firsts, like the first African American graduate from TPS. An event speaker said the goal is to break race barriers.
Ruth Whittle was a speaker at the event and was one of the first of seven kids to go to an all-white school in Drew, Mississippi.
"It was scary," Whittle said of the experience. "But it was something we had to do. Something that we knew was the thing to do."
That happened back in 1965, about 60 years ago. But for TPS, Alonzo A. Lott was its first African American graduate 150 years ago in 1874.
Lott's graduation is an example of what TPS Superintendent Romules Durant wants people to take from the educational event.
"A good sense of regard of how progressive Toledo has been, TPS specifically, when it comes to education and starting integration very early on," Durant said. "Not only its students but as well as in its staff."
Frances Irene Ambers was the first Black teacher in the district, Louise Brower was the district's first African American female administrator and Crystal Ellis was TPS' first Black superintendent.
"It set the tone," said Scott High School Principal Carnel Smith. "In fact, it set the tone for TPS and it's a legacy that we all build and stand on to this day."
With Smith being a Bulldog himself, he said it makes this history mean even more.
"The fact that I'm an alumnus at Scott High School, being here in such a historic building means so much to me," Smith said.
For a list of Black History Month events in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, click here.
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