The Fathers of School Choice for Black Texans: A Story of the Rosenwald Schools in Texas from 1912 to 1937.

The Fathers of School Choice for Black Texans: A Story of the Rosenwald Schools in Texas from 1912 to 1937. Link: https://youtu.be/alk2dovLo-Y?si=rzNx-w6m-xlgtSVr

By Pastor Kyev Tatum, New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church of Fort Worth and Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas

A Legacy of School Choice for Black Texans.

A recent survey conducted by Rice University, the University of Houston, and Texas Southern University revealed that nearly 70% of all Black Texans support universal school choice, including vouchers. This overwhelming support is not a new phenomenon—it is rooted in the rich history of Black Texans fighting for access to quality education.

Long before today’s debates on educational freedom, two visionary leaders—Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald—pioneered one of the most impactful school choice initiatives in history. Their groundbreaking partnership led to the creation of Rosenwald Schools, giving Black families in Texas and across the South access to quality education when the government failed to provide one. Link: https://www.the74million.org/article/photo-history-the-incredible-true-story-of-how-booker-t-washington-the-president-of-sears-built-5000-schools-for-generations-of-southern-black-students/

These schools were more than just buildings; they were beacons of hope, symbols of self-determination, and powerful tools for economic empowerment. The legacy of Rosenwald Schools continues to inspire today’s school choice movement, proving that Black Texans have long been at the forefront of the fight for educational freedom.

Booker T. Washington & Julius Rosenwald: The Architects of School Choice: https://texashighways.com/culture/history/preserving-legacy-rosenwald-schools-texas/

Booker T. Washington, born into slavery, rose to become one of the most influential Black educators in American history. As the founder of Tuskegee Institute, he championed education as the key to racial uplift and economic independence. Washington knew that access to quality education was the greatest tool for Black empowerment—a belief that led him to seek bold solutions.

Enter Julius Rosenwald, a Jewish businessman, philanthropist, and president of Sears, Roebuck & Company. A staunch advocate for racial justice, Rosenwald was inspired by Washington’s vision. Instead of waiting on the government to fix a broken system, he put his fortune to work, funding schools for Black students across the segregated South.

Together, these two men changed the trajectory of Black education by creating a public-private partnership that gave Black families control over their children’s learning—an early and powerful example of school choice in action.

How the Rosenwald Schools Created Early School Choice

The Rosenwald Schools program embodied the core principles of school choice long before the term existed:

✅ Parental and Community Involvement – Black families played an active role in the success of these schools, donating land, labor, and funds to build them. This ensured that parents—not the government—had a direct say in their children’s education.

✅ Public-Private Partnership – Rosenwald provided startup funds, but local school districts were required to match them. This model of private investment supplementing public education paved the way for modern school choice efforts.

✅ Educational Innovation – Rosenwald Schools were built with state-of-the-art designs that maximized natural light, ventilation, and learning conditions—far superior to the makeshift classrooms Black students had before.

✅ Access to Quality Education – Before the program, Black children in Texas were often taught in church basements, barns, or run-down buildings. The 527 Rosenwald-funded buildings in Texas, including 464 schools, 31 teachers’ homes, and 32 vocational training centers, provided safe, high-quality learning environments that opened doors for tens of thousands of students.

By 1932, more than 663,000 Black students across 15 states—50,000 of them in Texas—attended Rosenwald Schools. Their success laid the foundation for the ongoing fight for school choice today.

A Model for Modern School Choice

The Rosenwald-Washington partnership proves that school choice is not new for Black Texans. For generations, Black families have sought alternatives to failing, inequitable school systems.

Today, the same principles that made Rosenwald Schools successful are driving the movement for charter schools, private school scholarships, education savings accounts (ESAs), and other innovative solutions. Just as Washington and Rosenwald empowered parents in the early 20th century, modern school choice efforts continue their work—giving families real options for their children’s education.

At a time when Black students were systematically denied access to quality education, these two visionaries created a solution that changed lives for generations. Their boldness, creativity, and unwavering belief in education as the great equalizer remain an inspiration for the fight ahead.

The Fight Continues

The struggle for educational freedom in Texas is far from over. But thanks to the vision and determination of Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald, Black Texans have a proud history of choosing their own path.

As we continue working to ensure every Black child in Texas has access to high-quality education, let us honor the legacy of the fathers of school choice by continuing their fight for self-determination, community investment, and educational innovation.

About Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr. is a dedicated civil rights leader, historian, and advocate for educational justice. With more than 30 years of experience in policy, program development, and public advocacy, he is committed to uplifting historically marginalized communities through education, economic empowerment, and social justice initiatives.

As the Pastor of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth and President of the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, Pastor Tatum continues to be a strong voice for Black Texans. His passion for educational freedom and community development reflects the spirit of Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald.

For more information, to collaborate, or to invite Pastor Tatum for speaking engagements, contact:

📍 New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church

2864 Mississippi Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76104

📞 Phone: 817-966-7625

📧 Email: kptatum1@gmail.com

🔗 Website: www.newmountrose.com

Let’s continue the legacy of school choice and fight for the education our children deserve!