The Clark County School District (CCSD) is celebrating Black History Month by sharing the inspiring stories of CCSD’s African-American namesakes who were pioneers in their profession and some of the District’s firsts in education.
Kermit Roosevelt Booker, Sr. was one of the first African-American teachers in CCSD when he and his family moved to Las Vegas in 1955.
As a man dedicated to his community, Mr. Booker spent many years as an educator in Missouri and Kansas before becoming a teacher. He taught at Madison Elementary School, now Wendell Williams Elementary School, until illness forced him to retire. He worked with both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and was a member of the Trailblazers.
Highland Elementary School was renamed Kermit R. Booker Sr. Empowerment Elementary School in 2007, one of the District’s first Empowerment Schools. Booker was one of the first Empowerment Schools in 2007. The school has won the Martin Luther Parade competition several times and also won the African American Jeopardy Bowl.
