ABOUT THE SCHOOL
John Mercer Langston High School was the high school for African-American students from 1936 to 1970 in Danville, Virginia during the period when racial segregation in public education was commonplace in the American South.
Schools like Langston – which were numerous all across the South – despite the historical prevalence of racial segregation, discrimination and injustice in the United States, met the challenges of the times. They prepared students for entry into a racist and oft-times dangerous world, and trained them to meet it with hard work and fierce determination.
Administered and staffed by a legion of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduates…
Schools like Langston – which were numerous all across the South – despite the historical prevalence of racial segregation, discrimination and injustice in the United States, met the challenges of the times. They prepared students for entry into a racist and oft-times dangerous world, and trained them to meet it with hard work and fierce determination.
Administered and staffed by a legion of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduates…
Who was John M. Langston?
John Mercer Langston, born free in 1829, was a trailblazing African American abolitionist, attorney, and politician. He became the first Black man to hold elective office in the United States when elected to the town council of Oberlin, Ohio, in 1855. Langston later served as a diplomat, advocating for civil rights internationally. He played a pivotal role in founding Howard University Law School, where he became dean, and was instrumental in establishing the Freedmen’s Bureau in Virginia. Langston’s legacy embodies tireless advocacy for equality, education, and justice, paving the way for future generations of African American leaders.
John Mercer Langston’s legacy of educational empowerment continued with the establishment of John M. Langston High School. This institution, named in his honor, served as a beacon of African American education in Danville, Virginia. Langston’s vision and advocacy for quality education for all were instrumental in the creation of this school, which provided opportunities for countless students to excel academically and pursue their dreams. His commitment to education ensured that his name would forever be associated with the advancement of learning and the empowerment of future generations.
John Mercer Langston’s legacy of educational empowerment continued with the establishment of John M. Langston High School. This institution, named in his honor, served as a beacon of African American education in Danville, Virginia. Langston’s vision and advocacy for quality education for all were instrumental in the creation of this school, which provided opportunities for countless students to excel academically and pursue their dreams. His commitment to education ensured that his name would forever be associated with the advancement of learning and the empowerment of future generations.
Fruits from the Langston Tree
Langston Yearbook Gallery
The Lion 1962
The Lion 1962
The 1961-62 yearbook of John M. Langston High School in Danville, VA
The Lion 1967
The Lion 1967
The 1966-67 yearbook of John M. Langston High School in Danville, VA
The Lion 1968
The Lion 1968
The 1967-68 yearbook of John M. Langston High School in Danville, VA
The Lion 1969
The Lion 1969
The 1968-69 yearbook of John M. Langston High School in Danville, VA
The Lion 1970
The Lion 1970
The 1969-70 yearbook of John M. Langston High School in Danville, VA
