Booker T. Washington High School was named after the scientist and founder of Tuskeegee Normal and Industrial Institute. It was founded in 1924 and began as a night school to provide a basic education for African American adults who moved to Atlanta from rural areas. Because it provided such wonderful opportunities to the black community, it quickly earned the nicknames “Gateway to the South” and “Queen City of the South”. Since then, its students, teachers, and staff have excelled, and Booker T. Washington High School has become an important feeder school for Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as many highly regarded universities outside the South.

In 1956, the senior graduating class included 314 accomplished seniors. They were the first class to return to the school for their ten year reunion, where they were recognized by the class of 1966. In 1975, they outlined their objectives, which included among other things, awarding scholarships to students to receive a higher education and supporting Booker T. Washington High School through student-based programs.