A Detroit school building where a potential renaming to honor Catherine C. Blackwell is being considered.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District is considering a proposal to rename a school the ‘Blackwell Institute’ in honor of the late educator Catherine C. Blackwell. This proposal, prompted by her niece during a board meeting, aligns with the school’s impending closure due to low enrollment. Community support is growing for this initiative as Blackwell’s legacy in education and civil rights continues to resonate. The board will engage community stakeholders to gauge sentiment on the proposed name change.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) board is weighing a proposal to honor the late educator and historian Catherine C. Blackwell by renaming a school as the Blackwell Institute prepares for closure. The discussion came after a request from Blackwell’s niece, Alberta Carter, during a recent board meeting.
The Blackwell Institute, which currently has an enrollment of just 93 students, is scheduled to close following the 2025-26 school year as part of DPSCD’s strategy to phase out low-enrollment schools. District spokesperson Chrystal Wilson indicated that the exact timeline for the closure remains uncertain. Before the official closure, the school will stop accepting new students beyond the second grade, starting in the upcoming school year. By 2029-2030, this restriction will apply to students up to the seventh grade, and the last cohort of students will be transferred to nearby schools by the end of the 2030-31 school year.
For a name change to occur, the request must come from a school board member, the district superintendent, the school’s student body, or community stakeholders. Should the board approve Carter’s request to rename the school in honor of Blackwell, the district would conduct community meetings and surveys to gather public sentiment regarding a new name. Early indications show support for this initiative from board president Corletta Vaughn and board member Angelique Peterson-Mayberry.
Catherine C. Blackwell was a pioneering figure in both African and African-American studies, starting her teaching career with Detroit Public Schools in 1955. Over her lifetime, she was internationally recognized for her substantive contributions to the field of African history and culture, having traveled to Africa 61 times. In addition to her role in education, Blackwell was deeply involved in the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, where she served for eight terms after being appointed by Governor William Milliken. Her passion for education and cultural exchange led her to establish a travel company that specialized in organizing trips to Africa.
The DPSCD opened the Catherine C. Blackwell Institute of International Studies, Commerce and Technology in 1992 to honor her legacy. In recognition of her contributions, Blackwell was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993 and donated a significant collection of African art to local museums. She passed away from heart failure on February 1, 2014, at the age of 94.
Support for honoring Catherine C. Blackwell continues to grow within the community. Julia Flagg, a volunteer focused on historical properties, has backed Carter’s proposal, emphasizing the far-reaching impact Blackwell had on education and community heritage. The potential renaming of the school could serve as a lasting tribute to an individual whose legacy in education and civil rights continues to inspire many.
The DPSCD board’s consideration of this proposal is indicative of the ongoing efforts to honor leading figures in education while addressing the district’s operational changes. As discussions evolve, the community’s input will play a crucial role in shaping the future name of the school.
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