Hall of Fame
Texas Metro News Special
On April 12, Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III was the host of the African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame Lunch, where 10 outstanding educators and two prominent presidential recipients will be praised. Educators are as follows: Dr. Helen Benjamin, Cassandra Black, Robert Edison, Dr. Levatta L. Rebel, Dr. Larry Lewis, Dr. Bertrick Manning, the late Dr. Charles Matthews, Dora Wesley Morris, Cheryl Smith, Norma Wright.
The presidential recipients are: State Sen. Lois West and founder of TBAAL, and President Curtis King.
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Previous recipient, Dr. Haynes, won the AAEAHP Hall of Fame Presidential Award in 2024.
The honorary chairman is Texas credit union Troy Matthew, Chairman of the Board.
Growing up in San Francisco, California, Dr. Haynes pursued education at Bishop University in Dallas, Texas, before becoming a senior pastor at Baptist Church in Friendship Western.
Under his leadership, the church has grown into a congregation of 13,000 members and is widely recognized as a national hub for social justice.
Dr. Haynes received his Ph.D. He earned his second PhD from Oxford University in Oxford, England. His expertise led him to consult with the White House on a variety of issues, further strengthening his reputation as a prophetic voice in missionary and advocacy.
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The dynamic preacher and orator received numerous awards and honors, including the Walk of Justice of Frederick D. Haynes III, the Walk of Justice named by his church, and the School of His Name on the Paul Quin College campus. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. A proud member of the group, he is married to entrepreneur Debra Peek-Haynes and is the proud father of his daughter Abeni Jewel Haynes.
Dr. Helen Benjamin
For 45 years, Dr. Helen Benjamin devoted himself to uplifting his students, just as he kept his lifelong lives as students, teachers and leaders in Louisiana, Texas, California and California, respectively.
In Dallas, she taught English at Sunset and Hillcrest high schools before becoming an assistant professor and department chair at Bishop College, and later became a division chair at Cedar Valley College. She then moved to California’s Contra Costa Community College district. For over 25 years, he played six roles there, including the university’s president, vice-prime minister for education and prime minister. In each position, Helen promised to deepen her influence, empower others, and create transformative educational experiences.
Of this honor, Dr. Benjamin said: “I am deeply respected and humbled by this recognition. It is a special honor to be included in the Hall of Fame, who has guided and supported me as a young educator, as well as inductees this year.”
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Cassandra L. Black
Cassandra’s entire education career was in Dallas ISD. She started as a classroom teacher and later served as chair of the English department at North Dallas High School and Teacher of the Year. After promotion to Director of Accreditation/Employee Relations, she ensured that only qualified teachers and administrators were employed and that the district did not meet the requirements for leaving all children. Her efforts have led to the district being “recognized” by Texas Educational Institutions. She is a life member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority and is the live Parliament president of the 31st National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). Every year, undergraduate female undergraduate members of NPHC/Divine 9 are awarded the Cassandra L. Black Scholarship.
Robert Edison
Robert Edison grew up in Louisville, Kentucky with his parents Luther and Nora Edison, as well as his four siblings. He worked with students and teachers at Dallas ISD for 44 years. He became Dallas ISD Director of the School of Social Sciences, but his major achievements were done in the classroom. He is proud of the students who have had the opportunity to make an impact over the years. He would say he became a teacher in Dallas in 1992, allowing him to become a teacher in the area 10. He believes that teachers trying to stop learning must stop teaching, and that teachers of minority students should have pedagogy that free them.
Dr. Levatta L. Level
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Dr. Levatta L. Rebel is a veteran educator with over 35 years of experience as a teacher, principal, executive director and supervisor. At Desoto ISD, she led a key initiative that includes rezoning for registration growth, standardized dresses throughout the district
Selective Registration, Middle School Magnet Programs, and District-wide Action Programs. She helped create the Rejuv program and helped excessive students graduate with high school diplomas. She was inducted into the Desoto ISD Hall of Fame, received the NAACP Juanita Craft Award and was recognized by the Alma Maters Skyline High School and North Texas University. She is Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Head of Student Action and Local Supervisor of two DFW Universities. He is the leader of.
Dr. Larry D. Lewis
Dr. Lewis is unshakable by his commitment to influence and transforming the lives of students and families. As a situational leader, his laser focuses on all students reading grade and above levels at any grade level. Dr. Lewis has served at all levels of K-12 education as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, district superintendent and superintendent. As a scholar in Harvard University’s Urban Supervision Program, Dr. Lewis served as principal, heading the awareness/exemplary assessments by Texas Educational Institutions, the Malcolm Baldridge Award, the Texas Blue Ribbon and the National Blue Ribbon School campus, learning and supporting strategies he supported.
Bertric Luetissur Manning
Bertric Luetissur Manning is a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher and community leader. She dedicated her life to helping others and served as a classroom teacher at the Dallas Independent School District. She has been recognized multiple times as “teacher of the year.” She was the DFW coordinator for “No Child Refted” at the 2002 Achievement Academy. She reached the pinnacle of success in church and Christian life. One of her treasures is the plaque to the Grade “A” Teacher Awards to make the school extremely cool. During her retirement, she spends time developing programs to improve her educational skills and enhance student achievement.
Dr. Charles Matthews
Dr. Charles Matthews devoted his life to educating and influencing young people. He served as assistant supervisor for classroom teacher, assistant principals, North Forest ISD and Wilmer Hutchins ISD. As Whisd’s director, he implemented and began Texas’ first three-year-old program. He was an innovator and pioneer in the field of education.
Dora Morris
Dora Morris, who spent 48 passionate years educating young people, was an award-winning primary school teacher at Dallas ISD. She served as a general music teacher for her first 14 years. She then became a self-contained/language arts teacher. Due to her achievements with students, Dora served as a mentor to new teachers, trainers, instructors, campus instructional leadership team members, curriculum writers, staff development presenters, campus improvement planning committee members, and district IV workshop presenters. After resigning from Dallas ISD, she spent another 17 years as a part-time reading pull-out teacher at DeSoto ISD.
Cheryl Smith
While enjoying an impressive career as a multimedia journalist, newspaper editor and radio talk show host, Sheryl Smith spent more than 30 years in the classroom, leveraging her FAMU journalism degree and a business degree from Amberton University. She followed another Hall of Fame mantra, Dr. Napoleon B. Lewis, that “teachers don’t tell if students are not learning or not.” She also believes in offering hard knock life lessons, as her FAMU professor did. In 1998, she led the Paul Quin College Communications Division. The school’s newspapers will be revitalized and the NABJ chapter (starting with this year’s finalists and student journalist of the year Journalist of the Year of the Schoen Hefner winning several awards).
This proud Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, who taught at UNT, TWU, Dallas College, and DFW/ABJ Urban Journalism Workshops, and inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists, has been recognized by the Journalism Education Association and the National Conference for Working with Journalism Students. Additionally, she has awarded over $500,000 on scholarships, fellowships and internships.
Norma Beasley Wright
Norma Beasley Wright’s story is a powerful testament to the transformational power of education. She is the foundation of student support and happiness within Dallas ISD, embodying the essence of a consistently dedicated educator. Her unwavering commitment to fostering a nurturing and an inclusive environment has made her the heartbeat of the school community. Her impact of being recognized as Dallas ISD Counselor of the Year is far beyond academic teaching. She defended a student-centric initiative that empowers and uplifts all children. Through her caring leadership, she urged countless students to reach their full potential, further cementing her legacy at Dallas ISD.
Her role in the opening of the Thomas A. Edison Middle Learning Center and in the transformation of Dr. Billy E. Dade Middle School stands as a powerful will of her lasting influence.
Two presidential recipients are recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the educational experience of African Americans in Dallas County.
Curtis King
Curtis King is the American director, producer and founder and chairman of the nationally acclaimed Black Academy of Arts and Letter (TBAAL).
Often called “The King of Tributes,” King has created, directed and created numerous musical tributes, plays, concerts and cultural events that raised the African American community while enlightening a wider audience.
His extensive admiration spans major cultural and entertainment organizations, grassroots communities and social services groups.
Originally from Mississippi, King is the son of a teacher and an industrial farmer, and is one of three siblings. He graduated from Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Specect and Communications from Jackson State University, and later earned an MA at Texas Christian University.
A dedicated Christian, he is a member of First Baptist Church in Hamilton Park.
World traveler and lifelong advocate for art, Curtis Lamar King has dedicated his career to maintaining and moving forward African American culture through artistic expression.
Hon. Lois West
Today we praise the Presidential Award of Texas Senator Royce West, whose dedication to education and community advocacy had a lasting impact.
The honorable Royce West has devoted his life to public service for over 30 years. He currently serves as the Texas Senate, as vice-chairman of the Senate Transport Committee at the 16th Legislative Session, and is a member of several Senate committees.
He has worked to improve Texas education and increase academic success for Texas students by providing the necessary funding to schools, programs, students and teachers.
Senator West, a man from his family, is married to Carol and is the father of Seven. He works at his church, various civic organizations, the African American Museum, and Omega PSI Phi Fraternity.
Lois Barry West, a native of Annapolis, Maryland and alumnus from the University of Texas Arlington (MA, MA) and the University of Houston (JD), marked himself as a civil servant at the Dallas Metroplex and Texas.
Congratulations to everyone!
