Walker-Grant High School Class of 1950 Stages Graduation Protest at Fredericksburg Community Center

Walker-Grant High School Class of 1950 Stages Graduation Protest at Fredericksburg Community Center. Trail to Freedom. , Walker-Grant School was opened in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1936 as an elementary school. In 1938 a high school wing was added. The school was named for two Black men, Joseph Walker, born into slavery, and Jason Grant, the son of an enslaved person. Both sought to advance the education of children in the Black community. Earlier in 1905, Walker and Grant were instrumental in leading a group in establishing the Fredericksburg Normal and Industrial Institute also known as Mayfield High School, with one teacher and 20 students. This school was considered private because it was not supported by public funds. Instead, 15 residents pledged $10 each to operate the school opened to any student., In 1950 Walker-Grant High School had its largest graduating class of 27 students. The school did not have the space to accommodate the graduates and many family members and friends who wanted to attend. This was a cause for celebration as a number of the students were the first graduates in their families., The Senior Class President James Walker and Dr. Richard C. Ellison, president of the Walker-Grant PTA, with the support of Dr. W.L. Harris, the president of the Fredericksburg Branch of the NAACP, and Dr. Phillip Wyatt of Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), approached the City Council requesting use of the Fredericksburg Community Center for their graduation. The City Council rejected the request, stating that the publicly-funded community center was a "Whites Only" facility., James Walker appealed the decision with help from Dr. Wyatt, and the City of Fredericksburg finally relented with the stipulation that no Black person could enter the facility through the front door; the side door would be the only option for gaining admittance to the building. Once this stipulation was reported back to the graduating class, James Walker is reported to have said they would rather get their diplomas on the sidewalk than be forced to use the side entrance. As a result, Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) provided the location for the commencement exercises., On June 6, 1950, what should have been a time of celebration was turned into a day of protest. Led by Dr. Harris, the Walker-Grant graduating class, dressed in cap and gown, marched with their supporters to the community center. They gathered at the front door to protest their treatment for not being allowed to use a publicly-funded building because of the color of their skin. They carried signs that said, "This Entrance Closed to Us." They sang the Negro National Anthem and heard a prayer from P.D. Bowles for "those within the nation who would destroy and mutilate our guarantee of liberty." Dr. Wyatt presented mock diplomas to the students, telling them that they were "learning at the outset that life is filled with problems which we will solve in an orderly way." The group then proceeded to march from the community center to the Shiloh Baptist Church (Old site) for their graduation ceremony., The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case determined that laws establishing separate but equal public schools are unconstitutional. Yet, Fredericksburg City Schools did not begin desegregation until August 1962 ending in 1968., Recounted by Willie V. Holmes Jr., Mayfield Resident, Where We All Come Together We means everyone. Fredericksburg is a welcoming, inclusive community that actively encourages its members and embraces partnerships to ensure racial equity as a value in all aspects of city life. Everyone feels they belong and shares a sense of place. Our diversity is woven into our community fabric and is reflected in our government, businesses, and vibrant city culture. Fredericksburg is a leader and a model of racial equity., City Council Vision/Desired Future States , Created 2016/Updated 2021.