February is Black History Month
February is Black History Month! This year Community ISD will once again be featuring student artwork on social media and highlighting African-Americans that had major impacts on Brave Nation, and of course one of our favorite traditions returns: our Black History Month Celebration events!
This year, our elementary campuses and secondary campuses will honor our African-American students, staff, and families, and provide opportunities for all Braves to learn more about history, heritage, and culture at three different parties.
Roderick and McClendon will host their combined event on Thursday, February 22 at Roderick, while NeSmith and Dodson will host at NeSmith on Monday, February 26. The secondary campuses’ event will be at the high school auditorium on February 29!
Share Your Stories - Black History Month
Please help the district share your Black History Month celebrations, events, and programs by sharing photos and stories from your department or school! You may do this in several ways: Post photos to your school’s social media platforms and your website’s home page and also by submitting the photos via email to info@communityisd.org. Please include a caption/description of the activity. If you have any photos/video that include students, please make sure you have a signed media release form on file at your school. Schools are encouraged to make at least one submission. For questions or assistance, please contact the Department of Communications at info@communityisd.org.
Other Celebrations Planned Across Community ISD
Along with social media posts, student artwork, and the on-campus Black History Month Celebration events, students and staff are encouraged to wear historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) apparel on Thursdays during the month of February. Students and staff are also invited to wear African apparel on the third Wednesday (Feb. 21) and fourth Wednesday (Feb. 28) during the month of February.
Notable African-Americans in Brave Nation History
Countless African-Americans have made significant contributions to the history of Community Independent School District, but the impact of some our of alumni and former staff stand out. Below we have highlighted a few of the many amazing African-Americans that have positively shaped Brave Nation during their time here.
Billy Cox played four years of varsity football for the Braves and received All-District Football honors each year. As a junior he was named to the All-County Football Team, and his senior year he was named to the All-State and All-American teams. He was inducted into the CISD Hall of Honor in its inaugural class.
Nana Boyd Hill was born to L.A. and Stella Boyd on June 22, 1950 in McKinney, Texas. She attended Community Rural School District (CRSD) from first through eighth grade during segregation. She graduated from CRSD's African-American school in Josephine as valedictorian, and spent her ninth grade year at Doty High School in McKinney, which functioned as Collin County's African-American School. In her sophomore year of high school, Community Rural School District integrated its high school, and Nana returned to Brave Nation. She graduated from Community Rural High School in May 1968. She was inducted into the CISD Hall of Honor in its second class.
Mildred Barrett Ellis began her educational career in 1949 in Josephine, then moved to Community ISD when the school district desegregated. Mrs. Ellis was an educator in Brave Nation for 38 years combined across Josephine and Community. Mrs. Ellis was a 1974 Outstanding Teacher of America, and the 1984-85 Teacher of the Year. She retired in 1987, and passed away in 2017. She was inducted into the CISD Hall of Honor in its second class, and is the namesake of the newest CISD elementary school, opening in Josephine in August 2024.
Charles Jones and Johnny Rhodes were the first two African-Americans to graduate from Community Rural High School in 1966 as two of 27 seniors in that class. Public schools in the State of Texas integrated in 1965.