New Oak Cliff school will honor legacy of U.S. Rep. John Lewis

Dallas ISD District 5 Trustee Maxie Johnson today announced the renaming of Oliver W. Holmes Humanities Communications Academy to the John Lewis Social Justice Academy at O.W. Holmes, in honor of the late congressman and civil rights activist.

As WFAA reports, a brand new school building is also in the works.

A peaceful march led by Trustee Johnson, Holmes Principal Sharron Evans Jackson, and principals from surrounding schools began at 9:30 a.m. and concluded with a 10 a.m. press conference at the school. Following the renaming event, a panel discussion was held inside the auditorium.

Watch the story from WFAA

Speakers highlighted Rep. Lewis’s lifelong fight for social justice and the positive impact of having a school bearing his name in the South Oak Cliff community.

“I am proud to say that we have worked together in District 5 to accomplish our goals. To bring an $80 million secondary school to the Black community for kids who have been disenfranchised and lacked resources is exciting. This is what equity looks like,” Johnson said.

Click here to see more photos from the day.