When Lucy Craft Laney was born, it was against the law for Black people to learn to read. But her parents believed in education, and Lucy learned to read by the age of 4. After she grew up in Georgia, Laney helped many other Black boys and girls learn to read. She opened the first kindergarten for Black students in Augusta, Georgia.
Lucy Craft Laney was born in 1854, in Macon, Georgia. At the time, slavery was still allowed — but she was born free. And she went to a Black college to become a teacher. After that, Laney taught for 10 years. Then she created a school of her own.
Laney opened her school in 1883 for six students in Augusta, Georgia. Within two years, there were 200 Black students. As more boys and girls wanted to learn, Laney needed more money for her school. She went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to meet Francine E.H. Haines — who gave her $10,000. In 1886, Laney’s school was named the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute.
Laney’s school continued to grow. It opened the first kindergarten — and the first nursing program — for Black students in Augusta. By 1912, there were more than 900 students. They learned arts and sciences, as well as skills like sewing. Laney taught a Latin class too.
The Haines Institute was more than just a school. It became a hub for the Black community. Laney led a cultural center there. And she helped found the Augusta branch of a group called the NAACP.
Lucy Craft Laney died in 1933. But her lives on in many ways. A marker stands where she founded the Haines Institute. Her hangs in the Georgia State Capitol. And two schools are named after her: one in Georgia and one in Minnesota.
Lisa Pawelak is the principal of Lucy Craft Laney Elementary School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Students had the idea to name the school after Lucy Laney,” she explained. Pawelak told News-O-Matic that they did that “because of who she was as an educator for African-American children.”
About 700 students attend Lucy Craft Laney Elementary School. Two fifth graders spoke to News-O-Matic.
“Lucy Craft Laney wanted to teach former slave kids,” said Sha’liyah Peterson. “I really like her because I want to learn,” she added. “And my education is important.”
“I am proud to be a student at Lucy Craft Laney,” said Queen-Shanaya Barker. “I’m carrying on her legacy every single day.”
By Russell Kahn (Russ)
Updated March 5, 2025, 5:00 P.M. (ET)
