Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts

Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts is located in downtown Dallas, Texas. It is an arts magnet school.

History

In 1892, Dallas established its first high school for African American pupils. In 1911, the school was enlarged and named the Dallas Colored High School. The school was moved in 1922 to larger quarters, and renamed Booker T. Washington High School. For many years, it was the only Dallas high school that allowed students of color.

In 1942, teacher Thelma Paige Richardson sued the Dallas School District, demanding equalization of pay based upon tenure and merit; the school district denied that any discrimination was taking place. Richardson, with the help of the NAACP, won the case, increasing general awareness of discrimination in the public school system.

In 1952, it was enlarged yet again, and given the new name and mission as Booker T. Washington Technical High School. In the 1970s, the school was repurposed as the Arts Magnet at Booker T. Washington High School and became a prototype for magnet schools across the country.

Alumni

Famous alumni include:

• Norah Jones
• Erykah Badu
• Roy Hargrove