Sumner High School: A Legacy of Excellence
A segregated Black school transcends oppression and makes history.
After the abolishment of slavery in 1865, many African Americans found themselves migrating to the midwest. Although there were laws in place that allowed for segregated elementary schools in all cities that had a high population of African Americans, the law did not allow for segregated high schools. At the time, Kansas City Kansas High School was the only secondary school in the area. As such, African American and white students attended school together¹.
In 1905, Kansas Governor Hoch signed a bill into law reversing a provision that previously allowed for integrated high schools in the state². Sumner High School was born.
Although the African American students at Sumner High were not given the same quality resources as their white peers, the students excelled and demonstrated their excellence in and out of the classroom. Elmer Jackson, Sumner class of 1958, contributes the school’s excellence to its skilled teachers³.
“The quality of the education was equal by default. It wasn’t because the decision makers wanted it to be equal. It was just that the system of racial segregation caused it to be equal because their teachers were so talented.”
— Elmer Jackson, Sumner class of 1958.
The Educators of Sumner
At the time of Sumner’s conception in 1905 and well into the 1950s, colleges and universities were segregated. Kansas City, Kansas was an ideal place for Black teachers to work. Positions at Sumner High School were highly sought after by Black educators from across the country. It became the only high school in the United States where Black teachers got paid the same salaries as whites⁴. Despite the Kansas Board of Education’s insistence that the school specialize in vocational and manual training, teachers at Sumner protested and demanded the school be focused on college-preparatory education. The skilled teachers set a standard of excellence and knew their students could rise to meet the high expectations.
A Legacy of Excellence
Despite the board’s efforts to mold Sumner into a vocational training school, the students at Sumner exuded academic excellence. In the 1920s, the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce held a writing contest for the high schools in Kansas City and allowed Sumner students to participate. Students from Sumner High School won the event two years in a row, before they discontinued the competition⁵.
“Anytime we were able to compete in events, we would be superior. And then they would usually discontinue the events so we were not allowed to participate.”
— Chester Owens, Sumner class of 1949
By the 1950s, Sumner competed in the Greater Kansas City Science Fair and earned first place six years in a row. During this decade, students also competed and won two national titles as well⁶.
Band at Sumner High School
Academia was not the only area in which Sumner students excelled. The band played a significant role in establishing Sumner’s excellence. Under the direction of Mr. Leon Brady, students at Sumner were exposed to enriching opportunities that allowed them to develop their musical prowess. Students performed at several Kansas City Chief’s half-time shows and even traveled to New Orleans to march in the Sugar Bowl.
To Mr. Brady’s surprise, in 1972 the band received a request to participate in an international jazz festival competition in Paris, France. Mr. Brady accepted the opportunity, unsure how they would manage it financially. The school district was opposed to the trip and offered no support⁷.
The Sumner community came together to raise money for the trip. From local business fundraisers, charity events at churches, and individual donations, the band raised a large portion of the funds. Inspired by the school and the Band’s efforts, Senator Bob Dole became involved by helping the school obtain a federal grant the provided the necessary remaining funds. To the Black community came together to earn the money. Senator Bob Dole became involved in the effort to send the students to Paris through helping the school obtain a federal grant that provided the necessary remaining funds.
After months of dedicated fundraising and practicing, the they traveled to Paris to compete against bands from across the world. The Sumner High School band won the entire competition⁸.
“A lot of people had no idea that this even happened. We were the first Black band to accomplish or do anything at this scale. We actually made history.”
-Charles D. Williams, Class of 1973
Closing Sumner
The decision to close Sumner High School came in 1978, after a six year lawsuit filed by 15 students and their families, charged the Kansas City Kansas School District with gerrymandering boundary lines to maintain segregation. The judge ruled that the Kanas City Kansas Public Schools must be desegregated but left it up to the district to decide how they would implement the process⁹.
The district began conversations about closing Sumner High School. At the time, Sumner alumni Gerald Hall was president of the school board. As the only African American on the board, he understood how devastating it would be for the Black community to lose Sumner High School and adamantly opposed the idea¹⁰.
“Sumner is all that one community and ethnic group in Wyandotte county has. You’ll hurt a whole section of people if you take Sumner.”
- Gerald Hall, School board president 1978
Mr. Hall was outvoted 6 to 1. The decision to close the school was final.
The consequences of closing Sumner had several implications. Many Black students lost the supportive environment that held them to high expectations when they entered into white schools. Additionally, the vibrant community was hit financially as Black families started spending money outside of the Sumner High School area. The multiple Black owned businesses that were once thriving, started to lose business as families started spending their money elsewhere. The safe, close-knit community started to deteriorate.
Sumner’s Legacy
The story of Sumner High School is one of resilience and strength. Despite the barriers created by a racist system, students did not just survive, they thrived. The educators at Sumner provided students with the skills and opportunities needed to transcend oppression and regain their power. Throughout its 73 years of operation, Sumner High School upheld its commitment to excellence.
References
- Peavler, D. (2005). Drawing the color line in Kansas City. Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains, 27(1), 188–201.
- Peavler, D. (2005).
2. Tyner, K.M. (2014) Sumner high school: The best kept secret, the documentary. Dignified Digital
3. Bonner, W. F., Freelain, S. E., Henderson, D. D., Love, J.B. & Williams, E. M. (2009) The Sumner Story. Morgan James Publishing, LLC.
4. Tyner, K.M. (2014)
5. Jackson, R. M. (1957, May). Art students enter painting in art exhibit. Sumner Courier 22(8), p. 6.
6. Tyner, K.M. (2014)
7. Tyner, K.M. (2014)
8. Bonner, W. F. et al. (2009)
9. Tyner, K.M. (2014)
