New to the Booker T. Washington High School staff, but not new to Booker T. Washington High School, Leisa Brewer is a proud BTW alumna who has been working as the Founding Director of These Halls Can Talk since 2015. As the Founding Director, Ms. Brewer has provided valuable knowledge to students about not only Washington High School’s history, but also knowledge in the areas of filmmaking, research, literacy, ageism, and the oral history process.

“Ms. Leisa has impacted me by allowing me to have a sense of pride in Booker T .Washington High School. If it wasn’t for me being involved in These Halls Can Talk, I don’t think I would have nearly as much pride in it as I do now. She inspired me to look at things with a historical eye and now whenever I hear the things that she taught, I sometimes feel the need to correct others on the history lol. I also feel that if I need anything whether it’d be school, history related, or just someone to talk to, I know I can come to her.” -Miriam Olajide ’20

“Ms. Leisa has impacted me in great way by making me more appreciative of my community and its culture. She also provided me with inspiration and motivation since we’ve met. I am well-versed in the history of Washington High School and its significance in the advancement of African Americans because of her.
With her creation of These Halls Can Talk, she also showed me that if there isn’t a way then make one. She had a vision to begin preserving and restoring the history of our school and turned it into a real project/program. That gave me the motivation to want to start my own programs. But most importantly, Ms. Leisa is a very compassionate leader and being able to watch her has helped me in instilling those same values in myself.”
-Mahlon West ’20