In 1961, 132 African American students were tested to see if they were “intelligent enough” to integrate four of Atlanta Public Schools’ all-white high schools. Of those 132 students, nine students were chosen. Three of those nine where chosen from Booker T. Washington High School: 

📖 Willie Jean Black who integrated Northside High School (later North Atlanta High School)

📖 Madelyn Nix who integrated Joseph E. Brown High School (later Brown Middle School)

📖Thomas Welch who integrated Joseph E. Brown High School

📖Cleater Webb who integrated Joseph E. Brown High School in 1962
In the words of their classmate, Mrs. Barbara Harper Denson ’63, “All of us were willing to go to the white schools in order to break down the walls of segregation: these nine students suffered racial insults daily. However, they persevered. We were dedicated to excellence and willing to participate in any way that we could because we wanted a better world for those yet unborn.” Image Source: BTW Archives, Georgia State Archives
Click the link in bio to hear more about the process to desegregate Atlanta Public Schools.

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