Grand Rapids — The Academy of Teaching, Learning & Social Justice at Innovation Central High School was recently renamed in honor of history-making alumni Hattie Beverly, who in 1899 became the first Black teacher in Grand Rapids.
The newly rechristened Hattie Beverly Academy of Teaching, Learning & Social Justice was officially unveiled during a ceremony in late February, which brought students, teachers and community members together to celebrate the occasion.
Beverly graduated from Innovation Central — then called Central High — in 1895 before completing a teacher cadet training program in 1899 and applying for a teaching position at Congress Elementary. Despite some blowback from some community members because of her race, Beverly was hired, and taught in the district for three years prior to resigning in1902 due to health issues.
‘(Hattie Beverly’s) story is a reminder of what so many African Americans have experienced, but also what they have overcome.’
— State Rep. Kristian Grant
Students of the academy are overjoyed that their program — which focuses on preparing learners for careers in education, law and other community-focused fields — is paying tribute to Beverly.
“Not only is it really fitting to have her name on our academy now, but it’s just proof that we can make change in our community together,” said senior Barrett Vernon. “I’m really excited about it. … The only issue is that it didn’t happen sooner.”
Sophomore Zariah Duke noted that Beverly is “the legacy of our future,” and that she “sets the tone” for future academy students.
Past Meets Present
Barrett and Zariah were among the speakers at the ceremony, along with GRPS Superintendent Leadrianne Roby, 82nd Dist. State House Rep. Kristian Grant, teacher Lisa Orban, GRPS Board Vice President Aarie Wade and Innovation Central High School Principal Derrick Martin.
The speakers summarized Beverly’s story, from her family’s relocation from Milwaukee to Grand Rapids in the 1870s to her time at Central High — which she attended part-time so she could work and help support her family — to her eventual, hard-won employment with the district.
“She endured school board members and community members debating whether an African American should be able to teach or not,” Grant said. “Her story is a reminder of what so many African Americans have experienced, but also what they have overcome.”
Roby said Beverly “understood the power of diversity in education,” and stressed that, “today, that mission is more important than ever.”
Martin called Beverly “one of the city’s first social change agents and civil rights pioneers,” adding, “It is more than fitting that we connect the past to the present” by renaming the academy in her honor.
“She was a pioneer,” said Wade, who encouraged attendees to take inspiration from Beverly’s story, and to “challenge barriers to ensure that every scholar has the opportunity to succeed, just as she envisioned.”
Beverly was buried at Oakgrove Cemetery in Grand Rapids, but she does not have a headstone, Roby said.
Zariah and Barrett said they’d love it if their fellow academy students worked to fix that.
“We want to sell buttons for the community … about social justice and stuff,” Zariah said. “Maybe we can use that money during a fundraiser to help save up for a headstone for her.”
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