Menu
Heroes
Dr. Luther Edwards
“I would tell voters that this is a vote for the children,” former school board member Luther Edwards of Wilmer-Hutchins ISD would often say. Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District (WHISD) was established in 1927 as a consolidation of four smaller school districts. Wilmer-Hutchins High School was established in 1928. At the time it had one elementary school for black students that had been built for $2,000, and that school had one teacher.
Over the years the district became a per-dominantly black district with most educators, staff and board members being African-American. It was unfortunately noticed as one of the poorest districts economically but that did not stop board members such as Luther Edwards from serving his community.
The work of Luther Edwards should serve as a reminder that we must continue the good fight so that our schools are up to par and that the powers that be continue to see the examples we set in OUR communities.
Dr. Charles Matthews
The Caucus was established in 1978 under the leadership of Dr. Charles Matthews. Dr. Charles Matthews, Deputy Superintendent at North Forest ISD, served as President of North Forest Teachers Association and was politically active on African American education issues. While in a Doctoral program at Texas Southern University, he was contacted by the Professor of Education Dr. Wayne Carle (Anglo) and asked if he would work with and establish an organization for the Texas African American school board members.
While attending TASB Summer Leadership Institute, Dr. Matthews met with African American Trustees. He proposed a plan to establish an organization where African American Board Members would discuss the issues effecting not only African American students but also African American teachers and board members.
Royce West
Royce West was first elected to the Texas Senate in November 1992. Since taking office, he has represented the 23rd Senatorial District on behalf of the citizens of Dallas County in the Texas Legislature. During his tenure, Senator West has been named by Texas Monthly as one of the 25 most powerful people in Texas politics, been selected for the magazine’s biennial “Ten Best Legislators in Texas” list, and has twice been named as an “Honorable Mention.” Senator West has also received mention on the Associated Press’ “Movers and Shakers” list, as well as the Texas Insider’s “Best Legislators” list.
Senator West is Vice Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and is a member of Senate committees on Education Finance, and Transportation. He was appointed to the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting after the 86th Legislative Session (2019). Following the 85th Legislative Session (2017) Senator West was appointed to the Texas Commission on Public School Finance and the Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools and School Security. During the 83rd Legislative Session (2013), the senator served on the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting and the Joint Committee on Oversight of Higher Education Governance, Excellence & Transparency.
Senator West’s key initiatives include the creation of college admission opportunities for all students, including the establishment of the University of North Texas at Dallas, Dallas’ first state-supported, four-year university, a new law school in downtown Dallas, and a Pharmacy school. Increasing financial aid for college students and funding for the TEXAS grants programs have been priorities for Senator West as well. Senator West is a champion for public education, including new programs that provide curriculum choices for public schools. He has promoted school and student accountability efforts, opposed A-F implementation and fights tirelessly for more funding and educational resources for Texas school children.
In addition to his senatorial duties, Senator West is the managing partner in the law firm of West & Associates, L.L.P. He is also a caring father to his children, a grandfather and devoted husband to Carol R. West, CPA, as well as an active member of Concord Church Dallas.
Wilhelmina Ruth Fitzgerald Delco
Wilhelmina Ruth Fitzgerald Delco devoted more than three decades to public service. In 1968 Delco was elected to the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees as the first African American elected to public office in Austin. Delco later served 10 terms in the Texas Legislature and served on more than 20 different committees.
In 1991 she became the first woman appointed Speaker Pro Tempore. Throughout Delco’s legislative career she was appointed, served in leadership capacities, and received top honors from nearly every national education board in the country. Delco’s consistent dedication to education gained her a national reputation in the field of higher education.
Delco retired from the Texas Legislature in 1995 but remains an active force in higher education. She chairs the national boards of the United States Department of Education’s National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity and the Compact for Faculty Diversity. Delco is also an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Austin.
Ron Price
Ron Price was first elected to the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees in May 1997. He was the youngest person to be elected to the Texas Association of School Boards. Mr. Price has held positions in the African American School Board Association for the metroplex and the National Caucus of Black School Board Members. He is the chair elect of the National Black Caucus of School Board Members Board of Directors. He is the founder of the National African American School Board Member Summit. Price is past president of the National Young School Board Members Caucus, the Texas Caucus of Black School Board Members and the National Association of African American School Board Members and represents Dallas on the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). He is the founder of the Pearl Guards. Price attended Texas Southern University and Paul Quinn College, graduating with a B.S. in Criminal Justice
Pages
- Media
- Join Us
- Our Sponsors