Hamzah (Fain), Benjamin (First Black Lorain Public School Teacher)

Archive

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Lorain Historical Society

Name/Title

Hamzah (Fain), Benjamin (First Black Lorain Public School Teacher)

Entry/Object ID

2023.57.14

Scope and Content

Mr. Benjamin Hamzah (nee Fain) was the first Black teacher hired by Lorain City Schools. He began his tenure in Lorain in 1954, taught at Hawthorne, Admiral King, Southview and Charleston, and retired in 1982. Mr. Hamzah was also active in local politics, a Navy veteran, and an unapologetic voice for civil rights, Black empowerment, and religious diversity. This collection of news articles and opinion editorials is archived in honor of Mr. Hamzah's work to bring Black student unions and Black history courses to Lorain City Schools in the 70's. In this opinion editorial written by Mr. Hamzah and published in the Lorain Journal on Sep 3, 1975, he discusses racial disparity in the way murders are treated by law enforcement, and encourages churches and civic leaders to get involved.