|
Celebrating Our Organization: AAEAHP Founders Day
We had an amazing Founders Day celebration! A huge thank you to Lisa Brown-Ross, President and CEO of the African American Museum Dallas, for inspiring us as the keynote speaker. Her words on conservation and protecting our culture truly resonated with everyone. President Lincoln Butler Sr. shared his gratitude, saying, "I am deeply honored to witness our community come together in such unity and spirit. This event reminds us of the strength and legacy we carry forward, and I am profoundly grateful to everyone who made this day unforgettable." We appreciate all who joined us and helped make this special event even more meaningful.
Special thanks also to Mrs. Verna Mitchell, Chair of the Founders Day event, who orchestrated an informative and thoughtful program for the day. And many thanks to our program participants—Norma Adams-Wade, Dr. Andrea Hilburn, Melvin Traylor, Lincoln Butler Sr., Dr. Thalia Matherson, Dr. Alfred L. Roberts Sr., and Thelma Kelly.
Stay connected and learn more about the African American Education Archives and History Program at www.aaeahp.org. And mark your calendar to visit the AAEAHP Education Hall of Fame exhibit and archived collections, which are located at the African American Museum, 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday.
| |
Dallas ISD Students Shine at Sankofa Children's Center
Dallas ISD showcased an impressive lineup of student talent at the Sankofa Children’s Center, hosted at the African American Museum on February 7. The audience cheered on the Elementary & Middle School Honors Choir and Drumline, who both delivered amazing performances. Special thanks to Dr. Matthew Edwards, Dallas ISD Elementary Director of Visual & Performing Arts, for organizing these outstanding events in collaboration with AAEAHP’s Dr. Michele Anderson. Dr. Anderson, together with Dr. Rosie Sorrells, also directs Education and the Sankofa Children’s Center at AAM for the African American Education Archives & History Program. Thank you to the students and everyone involved for sharing your gifts with our community!
| |
AAEAHP Honors Local Educators and Leaders in Hall of Fame Ceremony
The African American Education Archives and History Program will honor 10 Educators and three community, state, and national leaders at its annual Bobbie L. Lang Hall of Fame Luncheon in April. They will be honored for their outstanding contributions to education, their exemplary service, and impact.
The sold-out event promises to be a memorable occasion, celebrating the achievements and dedication of these honorees: Michelle Lilly Briscoe, Rev. Armond W. Brown, The Late Ned Green who will be represented by wife Betty Green, Wanda Huckaby, Dr. Maude Small who will be represented by son David A. Small, Ethel Snowden, Candace Elaine Wicks, Marian A. Willard, La Ron E. Wilson and Dr. George Woodrow Jr. Presidential Awardees are Helen Giddings and The Late Eddie Bernice Johnson, who will be represented by son Dawrence Kirk Johnson. Emma Rodgers will receive the Trailblazer Award.
| |
Nominations Open for the 2027 Education Hall of Fame
The 2027 AAEAHP Education Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations, offering an opportunity to honor outstanding educators who have made significant contributions to the field. This prestigious recognition celebrates individuals dedicated to advancing education, fostering innovation, and inspiring students and colleagues. Nominees may include teachers, administrators, mentors, or others whose impact has shaped their communities and elevated the standards of learning. The deadline is Saturday, July 18, 2026, to submit a nomination for the AAEAHP Education Hall of Fame. To complete an application online or to download a hard copy, go to: https://aaeahp.org/hall-of-fame/submit-a-nomination/
| | |
Celebrating Excellence: Honors for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Members and Community Leaders
Alpha Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Dallas, recently paid tribute to its esteemed members aged 90 and above with a heartfelt celebration in December. Fourteen remarkable Sisters were honored for their dedication and service, including two distinguished AAEAHP Hall of Fame members — Dr. Donnie Breedlove and Kathryn Mitchell. The event highlighted the enduring impact and legacy of these trailblazing women within the sorority and the Dallas community.
In addition to these honors, Dr. Levatta Levels will be recognized with the prestigious Making Democracy Work Award by the League of Women Voters. The award ceremony is scheduled for February 20th, taking place at the Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum Hotel. This recognition celebrates Levels’ outstanding commitment to civic engagement and efforts to strengthen democracy in the community.
Together, these celebrations underscore the importance of honoring those who have dedicated their lives to service, leadership, and positive change in Dallas and beyond.
| | | |  | |
Dr. Donnie Breedlove
An African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame recipient (2008), with 39 years of service in education, Dr. Donnie Breedlove was born in Austin, Texas, and graduated from the segregated Littig High School in Travis County. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas; a Master of Education from the University of Texas at Austin; and a Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Dallas history was made when Dr. Breedlove was appointed principal of A. Maceo Smith High School in the Dallas Independent School District (DISD), and thus, became the first female high school principal in the district’s history. Blazing previously unchartered trails was not a new experience for Dr. Breedlove, whose professional expertise led DISD leadership to appoint her to other significant roles.
In 1966, Dr. Breedlove was named as one of the first three African American teachers to integrate school faculties. She was the first African American on the staff of 65 professionals at William L. Cabell Elementary School. Another first was her assignment as the staff development specialist at Paul L. Dunbar Community Learning Center.
| | | | | |
Kathryn Mitchell
Kathryn Mitchell, inducted into the African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame in 2017, was a dedicated educator in Dallas for 35 years. She served as a classroom teacher, instructional resource teacher, and specialist, notably during the federally mandated desegregation of Dallas schools. Mitchell was among the African American teachers assigned to predominantly white schools, including Arthur Kramer Elementary, as “cross-over” teachers. Even after retiring, she continued to help children, supporting students at T.G. Terry Elementary through the Seniors Actively Guiding Education Program. Mitchell received the Sojourner Truth Award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc., had the Kathryn Lacy Mitchell Auditorium named for her at Jimmie Tyler Brashear Elementary, and helped establish the Dallas County Achievers Awards Program as a Board member of the African American Education Archives and History Program.
| | | | | |
Dr. Levatta L. Levels
Dr. Levatta L. Levels is a seasoned educator with 35+ years of experience as a teacher, principal, executive director, and superintendent. In DeSoto ISD, she led key initiatives including rezoning for enrollment growth, districtwide standardized dress, selective enrollment, middle school magnet programs, and districtwide behavior programs. She helped create the ReJuv program, helping overaged students graduate with a high school diploma. She was inducted into the DeSoto ISD Hall of Honor, received the NAACP Juanita Craft Award, and recognition from her alma maters Skyline High School, and the University of North Texas. She is a leader in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a Student Conduct Officer, and a field supervisor at two DFW universities. Dr. Levels was inducted into the AAEAHP Hall of Fame in 2025.
| | |
Hall of Famer Robert Ward: Champion of Education and Community Leadership
Robert Ward, inducted into the African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame in 2018, was born in Rayville, Louisiana, and moved to Dallas, Texas, at age five. He attended Julia C. Frazier Elementary and Pearl C. Anderson Middle School, experiencing Dallas Independent School District’s (DISD) desegregation firsthand. Ward graduated from Skyline High School and earned a Bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in educational administration from East Texas State University.
Ward began his educational career in DISD as a third grade teacher at Jose Navarro Elementary School, where he mastered differentiating instruction for diverse learners. He advanced to assistant principal, then principal at H.S. Thompson Elementary, Sequoyah Elementary, and became the first African American principal at Edna Rowe Elementary. Ward’s leadership continued at James Madison High School for seven years.
In 2005, Ward became superintendent of Texans Can Academies’ charter schools, overseeing 10 campuses and championing district objectives among stakeholders. He believed serving others was the highest honor and took pride in improving academic achievement and nurturing teachers into campus leaders. Ward shaped instructional models for South and West Dallas Learning Centers during desegregation and served as an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University. He believed his legacy would be remembered as a neighborhood kid who returned, served, and cared for children.
Robert was a member of the AAEAHP where he served as Scholarship Chair.
| | |
Legacy in Action: Bryce Ahart Earns NAACP Award Nomination for ‘FBI’
Great Nephew of Hall of Famer Robert Ward Continues Family Tradition of Excellence
Bryce Ahart, the great-nephew of Hall of Famer Robert Ward, is quickly making a name for himself in the television industry. Serving as Co-Executive Producer on Season 8 of the hit CBS police procedural "FBI," Ahart has been nominated for a 2026 NAACP Award alongside his fellow Co-Executive Producer, Stephanie McFarlane, for their outstanding work on "Episode 12" of the series.
Ahart joined the "FBI" production team in October 2023 as a Supervising Producer during Seasons 6 and 7, before rising to his current role. His journey in television began as a Writing Fellow in an HBO Apprenticeship, where he was selected as one of just eight fellows from a pool of 4,000 applicants to develop a TV pilot with an HBO executive.
Throughout his career, Ahart has contributed as a staff writer on the CW’s "Legacies," served as Story Editor on Netflix’s YA drama "First Kill," and worked as Executive Story Editor on Apple TV+’s YA series "The ME." He also produced the second season of Starz’s acclaimed wrestling drama "Heels" and was Supervising Producer on Season 1 of the Netflix/BET+ dark comedy "Average Joe."
A Dallas native, Ahart graduated from St. Mark’s School of Texas in 2013 and earned his bachelor’s degree in Playwriting and Screenwriting from New York University in 2017. He is the son of Florence Goodwin, a Dyslexia Interventionist with the Dallas Independent School District. With his recent NAACP Award nomination, Ahart is carrying forward a powerful legacy and leaving his own mark on television.
| | |
The African American Education Archives & History Program is a 501(c)3, tax-exempt organization.
Learn more about us at aaeahp.org
|
| | | |
