Black History Month in CPS

Columbia Public Schools works to focus on teaching Black History all year throughout the district's curriculum.

Annually in February, during Black History Month there are additional special activities to celebrate the history and recognize notable figures for our local community and nationwide. Schools highlight Black authors in media centers and hold essay, poster, or door decoration contests to celebrate important people and events in American history that had a specific impact on the Black community. Schools also highlight notable Black figures in history each day over their morning announcements. Notable figures include those at the national, state and local levels.

Notable Figures and Places

Columbia Public Schools Educators

Local Leaders

John "Blind" W. Boone (1864-1927) Pianist, Composer, Entertainer
Almeta Crayton (1959 - 2013) Community Activist, Councilwoman
Annie Fisher (1867-1938) Caterer, Business Owner
Henry Kirklin (1958 - 1938) Horticulturist, Educator, Entrepreneur
Clara Miles (1917 - 2004) Community Activist
James Whitt (1946 - 2021) Community Leader

Eliot & Muriel Battle

Beulah Ralph

John Blind Boone

Almeta Crayton

Annie Fisher

Henry Kirklin

James Whitt

Clara Miles

Local Historical Landmarks

Sharp End: The pre-1960 African American owned business district in Columbia

From the early 1900s to the 1960, the Sharp End business district was a city within a city for Columbia's black community. Stretching from Fifth to Sixth streets on both sides of Walnut Street. Sharp End was a robust business center with black-owned restaurants, meeting halls, barber shops, bars and more.

Reflections on Sharp End in Columbia, Missouri (YouTube - City Channel, Columbia, MO)

Columbia African-American Heritage Trail

African-American Heritage Trail (City of Columbia, MO)
Completed in 2020, the two-mile Columbia African American Heritage Trail in central Columbia highlights the 200-year history of the city's Black community. Thanks to the work of the Sharp End Heritage Committee in conjunction with Columbia Parks and Recreation and the support of several local businesses and individuals, the community has the opportunity to learn more about the significant achievements and contributions made by the people and institutions in Columbia's Black community throughout our history.

Blind Boone Home

The two-story Victorian home of John and Eugenia Boone at 10 N. 4th Street is historically significant as the home of John William “Blind” Boone, one of America’s greatest musicians and a symbol in Columbia of African-American achievement at the turn of the twentieth century.

Blind Boone Home and Event Center

Frederick Douglass High School

One of four high schools in the Columbia Public School District, Frederick Douglass High School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 for it's significance to black history and culture. (Reference number 80002310)