Lincoln Butler Sr., President of the AAEAHP, gets in some practice shots for the upcoming Free Throw Challenge. | | |
AAEAHP Free Throw Challenge – Take Your Best Shot!
Get ready to show off your basketball skills and support a great cause at the inaugural Free Throw Challenge, hosted by the African American Education Archives and History Program (AAEAHP). Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 15, 2025, and head to the Chris Dyer Gym 3 at DeSoto High School for a morning of friendly competition and fundraising excitement.
Event Details
- Date: November 15, 2025
- Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Location: DeSoto High School – Chris Dyer Gym 3, 600 Eagle Drive, DeSoto, TX 75115
This annual fundraiser, organized by the Fundraising Committee under the leadership of Dr. Larry D. Lewis, invites talented free throw shooters to join community leaders and celebrities in a fun-filled event. Whether you’re a basketball enthusiast or just want to support the cause, there’s a way for everyone to get involved!
- Sign up as a shooter: Test your skills and compete for a good cause.
- Sponsor a shooter: Cheer on participants and help raise funds by sponsoring your favorite shooter.
- Purchase a sponsorship: Choose from several sponsorship levels to show your support and make a greater impact.
All proceeds from the Free Throw Challenge will directly benefit student scholarships, the TEACH Project, the Sankofa Children’s Center at the African American Museum and other AAEAHP initiatives.
AAEAHP President Lincoln Butler Sr. had this to say about the event “To Our Greater Dallas County Community, please come out and shoot with the stars: our local leaders and celebrities. Take your best shot for a great cause because every basket supports our mission. Your participation will help us raise funds for our Scholarship Program, TEACH Project, and our Sankofa Children’s Center located at the African American Museum-Dallas. Thank you for supporting OUR CHILDREN!”
Ready to take your shot or support the event? Visit aaeahp.org to register as a shooter or explore sponsorship opportunities.
| President Emeritus Dr. Alfred L. Roberts Sr. flanked by Credit Union of Texas Chief Marketing & Engagement Officer Eddie Army and President and CEO Eric Pointer. | | |
CUTX Returns as Hall of Fame Honorary Chair
The African American Education Archives and History Program (AAEAHP) is proud to welcome back the Credit Union of Texas as the Educators’ Hall of Fame Honorary Chair for the second consecutive year. We deeply appreciate their ongoing commitment and support, which helps make this celebration possible.
The 2026 Educators’ Hall of Fame event will take place on Saturday, April 11, at 12:00 PM at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel, located at 2222 N. Stemmons Freeway in Dallas. You can reserve tables, secure sponsorships, and purchase advertisements now by visiting our official website at aaeahp.org.
Join us in honoring this year’s inductees and special honorees as they celebrate their achievements. If you’d like to participate or need more details about the event, please contact Loretta Simon at loretta.simon@yahoo.com.
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Dallas ISD Students to Perform at Sankofa Children’s Center
Bush Elementary Step Team Kicks Off Performances for 2025-2026
On Saturday, October 18, the George H.W. Bush Elementary School step team will take the stage at the Sankofa Children’s Center, located within the African American Museum in Fair Park. The performance, scheduled for 1 p.m., marks the first in a series of events planned through the Dallas Independent School District’s partnership with the Children’s Center at the Museum. The Bush step team’s sponsor is David Glover.
“The Dallas ISD Visual & Performing Arts Department is excited to partner with the African American Museum of Dallas in showcasing some of the amazing elementary students in the district. These performances at the Sankofa Children's Center are only the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between DISD and the museum! We believe in experiential learning through performances by our students, and this partnership is the perfect blend of culture and opportunity for them to engage with our community,” said Dr. Matthew Edwards, Elementary Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the Dallas ISD.
The Sankofa Children’s Center was founded as a joint initiative among the African American Education Archives and History Program, Dallas ISD, and the African American Museum. Its mission is to offer young children activities that are both developmentally suitable and culturally enriching, while supporting educators and community members in creating similar programs in other areas.
The public is invited to attend. The African American Museum is located at 3536 Grand Avenue, Dallas. For more information, contact the African American Museum at 214.565.9026.
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North Texas Giving Day Thanks
We truly appreciate your generous gift to the African American Education Archives and History Program. Your support helps us shine a light on the rich history of African American education in Dallas County. Follow us on Facebook to see the impact of your donation in action >> https://www.facebook.com/AAEAHP
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Celebrating Cheryl Smith’s Latest Achievement
The AAEAHP Board proudly congratulates Hall of Famer Cheryl Smith (Class of 2025) on her recent recognition. A 1980 graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), Smith continues to make history through her dedication and accomplishments in journalism. On October 17, 2025, Cheryl will be honored with the unveiling of her portrait on the Dr. Thelma T. Gorham Distinguished Alumni Wall in FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. This honor celebrates her enduring legacy as one of the university’s most accomplished alumni and a trailblazer in the Black Press. In addition to her recognition, Smith will establish an endowed scholarship fund at FAMU. This scholarship will offer valuable support—including scholarships, fellowships, grants, programs, and internships—to deserving college students pursuing careers in journalism. If you wish to support the scholarship fundraising efforts, please visit www.texasmetronews.com to make a donation or participate in the Silent Auction.
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TEACH Project and Coordinators Recognized
AAEAHP congratulated and recognized the coordinators for its TEACH Project at its annual retreat. Certificates of appreciation were presented to Rachel Trimble-Bolden, the DeSoto ISD teacher who coordinates the program at DeSoto High School, and to Rai Cole Malone who coordinates the project for the AAEAHP. The purpose of the TEACH Project is to encourage students to become educators and provide them with information concerning education as a profession. The TEACH Project’s slogan is “Teachers make all other professions possible!”
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2018 Hall of Famer
Carla Ranger
Carla Ranger, honored in 2018 as a Hall of Fame recipient by the African American Education Archives History Program, was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Her early years were spent under the care of her grandmother until the age of six, after which she moved in with her aunt and uncle.
Ranger’s journey brought her to Dallas, Texas, where she served as both a trainer and teacher for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Her dedication centered on reforming educational policies and championing equal opportunities. Deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, personal experiences fueled her passion for justice—one such moment occurred when she was denied service in a restaurant, leading to her arrest. This pivotal event strengthened her resolve to advocate for social change and harness her voice for equity.
Throughout her career, Ranger contributed to early childhood education through her work with KERA Television. She founded and directed the Dallas chapter of the National African American Read-In and served for eight years as a board trustee for the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). As a trustee, Ranger played a crucial role in preserving the legacy of Booker T. Washington High School, opposing efforts to rename the institution. She passionately defended the significance of Washington’s name, highlighting its importance to Black history and its profound meaning to the Dallas community. Her dedication ensured the school’s name remained a symbol of pride and heritage.
Ranger consistently put students first, standing against the premature dismissal of teachers, librarians, and staff, and fighting the closure of 11 schools. She also opposed the appointment of an underqualified superintendent. Known as “The Conscience of the Board,” Ranger was celebrated for her transparent communications, informed perspective, and unwavering courage.
Notable Accomplishments
- Initiated a policy saving principals from the threat of termination if they did not learn Spanish.
- Led efforts to name schools after community icons Kathlyn Joy Gilliam and Reverend Zan Wesley Holmes Jr.
- Drafted policy preventing trustees from financially benefiting from the Dallas Independent School District.
Carla Ranger’s enduring legacy is marked by her relentless pursuit of justice and her steadfast commitment to educational excellence and equity for all.
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