Detroit’s first
black school teacher, Fannie Richards was born on October 1, 1840
in Fredericksburg, Virginia of free parents. As a child, she moved
to Toronto, Canada with her parents where she received her education.
She continued her studies in Germany where she worked with the educational
team headed by Wilhelm Forebel who was developing the concept of
kindergarten. After permanently settling in Detroit, she was allowed
to teach in Detroit because of her brilliant scholastic record.
In 1863, she opened a private school for black children and in 1869
was appointed Instructor of Colored School No. 2.
In 1870, under the leadership of John Bagley, Miss Richards and
several of her relatives protested against Detroit’s segregated
school system and in 1871, the Michigan Supreme Court ordered the
Detroit Board of Education to abolish separate schools for black
and white students. That same year, Fannie was transferred to the
newly-integrated Everett Elementary School where she taught for
44 years. It was there that she established the first kindergarten
in Michigan.
Miss Richards’ achievements were not limited to education.
She helped to found and finance the Phyllis Wheatly Home, an institution
organized in Detroit in 1889 to meet the needs of poor and elderly
black citizens. She was also one of the founders of the Michigan
State Association of Colored Women. Fannie taught Sunday School
at the historic Second Baptist Church for over 50 years.
In 1915, after more than 50 years of service, she retried from teaching.
She died seven years later on February 13, 1922 at the age of 81.
Born: October 1, 1840
Died: February 13,1922
Buried: Lot 150, Section N
