Community, Culture, and Education
Dr. LeRoy Christophe sought to expand the educational opportunities for African-American students in Arkansas and beyond. He understood that education needed to be engaging and purposeful in order to keep his students involved. Christophe knew that students needed to be challenged and held accountable for their actions in order to succeed. He also knew, however, that students needed to be respected as individuals and given support so they could reach their full potential. Dr. Christophe believed that his purpose in life was to educate to his community and preserve their culture.
Desegregation in Arkansas
One of the major disadvantages in Dr. Christophe’s life was the impact of racism and segregation on the African-American community. By the 1950s, the United States was in a maelstrom of social and political unrest after the 1954 Supreme Court ruling, Brown vs The Board of Education, which desegregated public schools.
The Governor of Arkansas at the time, Orval Faubus, was supported segregation, which led infamous stand-off at Little Rock Central High School in 1957. With desegregation came the “Lost Year,” when Little Rock high schools were closed during the 1957-1958 school year. After the lost year came the teacher “purge” (of those who supported desegregation) that occurred in 1959. After being swept up in the teacher purge, Dr. Christophe chose to resign from the Little Rock School District, to take another position in Wilmington, Delaware.
Christophe’s Legacy
In 1959, Dr. Christophe moved with his wife and son from Little Rock to Wilmington to work for the Wilmington School District until his retirement in 1975. After leaving the Little Rock Area, Dr. Christophe continued to work with the Dunbar community to establish the National Dunbar Alumni Association in 1949, of which he served as president for three years. He also worked to establish a Youth Perpetuity Scholarship Award in 1987, and in 1991 he published his book entitled The Arkansas African-American Hall of Fame.
Dr. LeRoy Christophe passed away at age 84 on March 3, 1992, in Wilmington, Delaware, and is buried at Haven of Rest cemetery in Little Rock.
“Teaching has to go beyond the catechistic—assign, recite, test, evaluate—syndrome. Teaching must really focus on all the forces playing on youth.” – Dr. LeRoy M. Christophe
This character collection was developed by Teresa Gryder, who completed an internship with the Center in pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology.