E’ry day this month, the Center for Black Educator Development, in partnership with Phillys7thWard.org, will highlight a Black Educator Hall of Famer.
But, don’t forget, e’ry month is Black History Month…February is just the Blackest.
Today, our featured Black Educator is Benjamin W. Arnett.
Benjamin Arnett was born free in Brownsville, Pennsylvania in 1838. As a child, he attended a one-room schoolhouse where he was taught by his uncle. While Arnett was working on a steamboat, he suffered an ankle injury that caused a tumor and later amputation in March of 1858. Despite that setback, Arnett persevered.
Arnett obtained his teaching certification later that year and would become the first, and only in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. In 1864, Arnett moved to Washington D.C. to serve as the principal before eventually returning to CONTINUE READING: Benjamin W. Arnett, Black Educator Hall of Fame - Philly's 7th Ward