Celebrating Black Excellence in Gifted Education: Historical Roots in Gifted Education
Historical Roots in Gifted Education
Understanding the historical roots of gifted education is essential to advancing equity today. The field developed within social, cultural, and political systems that often excluded or marginalized Black students and communities.
Engaging with this history helps educators recognize present-day disparities and take responsibility for practices that disrupt inequity, while honoring the Black scholars and leaders whose work expanded opportunity and reshaped the field.
Honoring Legacy & Leadership
Tribute Video
This tribute video, developed by Dr. Corey Gray, honors Black leaders whose contributions laid critical foundations for gifted education.
Black Educators who Paved the Way
Dr. Martin D. Jenkins
Dr. Martin D. Jenkins was a trailblazer in educational psychology - and a foundational figure in the history of gifted education.
In the 1930s, his research showed that Black children of high intelligence existed as often and as powerfully as their peers when given opportunities to learn and grow. His findings contradicted prevailing ideas that Black students were less capable shaping the earliest scholarship on gifted Black learners and laying groundwork for equity-focused practices that continue today.
Today, NAGC honors his legacy through the Dr. Martin D. Jenkins Scholar Award, recognizing highly gifted Black students who excel academically and exemplify Jenkins's vision of talent and promise. Learn more about Dr. Martin D. Jenkins in the blog post: Honoring Giftedness in the Black Community.
💵 Consider supporting the Dr. Martin D. Jenkins Scholar Award
Dr. Mary M. Fraiser
This article honors the enduring legacy of Dr. Mary M. Frasier, a visionary leader whose steady, principled leadership helped shape modern gifted education. A champion of equity, Frasier advanced broader, more inclusive approaches to identifying giftedness—most notably through the Frasier Talent Assessment Profile—ensuring students from historically underserved backgrounds were recognized and supported. As NAGC President during a period of significant change, she guided the organization with calm strength and integrity. Her influence continues through programs bearing her name and through the field’s ongoing commitment to equitable gifted education.
📖 Learn More About Her Enduring Legacy
At NAGC, honoring Black excellence means moving beyond recognition toward sustained action. We invite you to engage with these resources, reflect on the research, learn from history, and celebrate the leaders whose work propels gifted education forward.
