Rodney Kite Powell discusses Booker T Washington School's century-long legacy in Tampa

Rodney Kite Powell, director of the Tutchton Map Library at the Tampa Bay History Center, stepped in for Fred Hearns at a recent government meeting to discuss Tampa's rich history, particularly focusing on the legacy of education in the community. The highlight of the discussion was the upcoming centennial celebration of the Booker T. Washington School, a significant institution founded by the renowned educator and civil rights advocate Booker T. Washington.

Powell emphasized Washington's impact on education, noting his visit to Tampa in 1912, where he spoke at the Tampa Bay Hotel, now the University of Tampa. He also acknowledged the contributions of local education pioneers like Blanche Armwood Beatty, who became the superintendent of schools in Hillsborough County in 1925. Armwood's efforts were instrumental in establishing the Booker T. Washington School, which continues to serve the community today.

The meeting also touched on the historical context of the school’s location, situated near the Scrub and Central Avenue areas, which were among the oldest Black neighborhoods in Tampa. Powell encouraged attendees to participate in a special program at Tampa's Black History Museum, where further insights into the school's history and its founders will be shared.

This celebration not only honors the past but also highlights the ongoing legacy of education and civil rights advocacy in Tampa, reinforcing the importance of remembering and recognizing the contributions of those who paved the way for future generations.