A Legacy Forged on Clay Street, A Future Built on Excellence

In the heart of Memphis stands a school whose history mirrors the resilience, brilliance, and determination of a community. Booker T. Washington High School, one of the city’s most historic educational institutions, traces its roots back to 1873, when it opened as Clay Street School.

From Clay Street to Kortrecht

Known widely in the late 1800s as Clay Street School, the institution was a cornerstone of Black education in Memphis during Reconstruction. Located on Clay Street, later renamed St. Paul Avenue, the school became a beacon of opportunity for Black families seeking formal education for their children in a segregated South.

The first recorded public school in Memphis for African Americans, Clay Street School was led by its first Black principal, J.H. Barnum, who later became the first Black Superintendent of “Colored” Schools in the city. Under his leadership, Black citizens successfully advocated for an all-Black faculty, ensuring representation and culturally grounded instruction for their students. In 1891, the school celebrated a historic milestone as its first class graduated from a Black public high school in Memphis. That same year, Clay Street School was officially renamed Kortrecht High School.

Leadership That Shaped a Movement

The school’s second principal, Professor Benjamin Kellogg Sampson, was a graduate of Oberlin College, one of the first institutions in the nation to admit and educate Black students. A gifted orator and visionary educator, Sampson relocated to Memphis in 1875 and became a driving force in shaping the Black educational system during segregation. In 1880, Sampson delivered a powerful address welcoming President Ulysses S. Grant to Memphis at Beale Street Baptist Church. His words inspired generations of Black Memphians to pursue education as a pathway to equality. He served as principal for 17 years, laying an enduring foundation for academic excellence.

Following Sampson, Green Polonius Hamilton became principal in 1892. A Memphis native and pioneer educator, Hamilton organized the city’s first African American high school band around 1900 and authored two historical works documenting the achievements of Black citizens. When the school was rechristened in 1926, Hamilton became known as the first principal of Booker T. Washington High School. Later, Memphis’ Hamilton High School, which began as a junior high school in 1941 and became a high school in 1943, was named for Hamilton.

A New Name, A Bold Chapter

In the autumn of 1926, Kortrecht High School was renamed Booker T. Washington High School, honoring the influential educator and leader, Booker T. Washington. In its first year under its new name, enrollment reached nearly 1,200 students, supported by 31 teachers. The school quickly became a hub of intellectual growth, cultural pride, and community advancement.

National Recognition

In 2011, Booker T. Washington High School earned national acclaim after winning the Obama administration’s Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. The school stood out among more than 450 high schools across the country for its innovation and dramatic improvement in student outcomes, including increasing graduation rates from 55 percent in 2007 to 82 percent in 2010. As a result of that achievement, President Barack Obama delivered the school’s 2011 commencement address, marking a historic moment for the Memphis community and placing Booker T. Washington High School on a national stage.

A Tradition of Excellence

For generations, Booker T. Washington High School has produced leaders who have shaped Memphis and influenced the nation across education, civil rights, government, and music.

Notable alumni include:

• Lucie E. Campbell, renowned evangelist and gospel songwriter
• W. W. Herenton, first elected African American mayor of Memphis and former Superintendent of legacy Memphis City Schools
• Benjamin L. Hooks, civil rights leader and former executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• David Porter, Stax Records songwriter behind numerous classic hits, including “Soul Man”
• Judge Russell B. Sugarmon Jr., civil rights attorney and Tennessee legislator
• Maurice White, founder of Earth, Wind and Fire

Their achievements reflect the school’s longstanding commitment to excellence and its enduring impact on Memphis and beyond.

Mission Driven, Future Focused

Today, Booker T. Washington High School remains committed to equipping students with the intellectual, technological, and social skills necessary to exceed state and national standards. With the guiding principle of “One Team, One Goal: To Educate, Elevate and Illuminate Students Who Are Top Rate,” the school fosters a safe and supportive environment where students are empowered to become self-disciplined, motivated, lifelong learners. Student learning remains the chief priority. Through research-based instruction, shared decision making, and a culture of excellence, Booker T. Washington High School continues to honor its historic legacy while preparing students for a bold future.

As a proud school within Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Booker T. Washington High School exemplifies the district’s Pathway to Greatness by advancing academics, strengthening student achievement, and cultivating leaders who will shape Memphis for generations to come.