For more than 60 years, the brand name “Capitol” has been synonymous with education to many African-American families who migrated to the Eden Park community of Baton Rouge from surrounding rural areas.  Whether the name was Capitol Junior-Senior High School, Capitol Junior High School, Capitol Middle School or the present day school, Capitol Elementary School, the site has always been used for community education.

Educators, business leaders, church pastors, community organizers and citizens gathered there Thursday evening, February 25, to pay homage to those throughout the years in the African-American community who gave back to the area.  They renewed the “Spirit of Red and Gold” by dedicating major areas of the current Capitol Elementary School to the top leaders, such as Gus Young, ward leader of the First Ward Voters Association; Robert Gurney, the “mayor of Eden Park;” Columbus Dunn, civic founder and builder; Charles W. Keel, the first principal of Capitol Junior-Senior High School; the Rev. Dr. Ulas A. Hayes, minister and community leader; Louis Jestson, state official and community leader; Pearl George, Civil Rights activist; and Joseph A. Delpit, statesman and trailblazer.

Delpit and his wife, Precious, (first photo, left to right) admired the plaque dedicated in his honor in the school’s dining area.  Capitol Elementary School student dancers helped entertain the crowd (second photo, left to right):  Jayla Scott, Jasmine Alexander, Cassidy Jenkins, Aaliyha Smith, Ananya Crawford, Deshalyn Jones, Diamond White, Darneisha Williams, Lashey Jordan and Ja' Ney Scott.

In addition, special guests included the first Capitol Elementary School’s principal, Edna Breaux (third photo, in wheelchair), who had a classroom dedicated to her.  With her are School Board members W.T. Winfield (right) and Jay Augustine (top), as well as her great-grandchildren, Sheldon Johnson and Lauren Smith.  Plus, Metro Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle (fourth photo, right) visited a room dedicated to her grandfather, activist Rev. James Cole, accompanied by her mother and Cole’s daughter, the Rev. Ethel Cole Jones, and her uncle and Cole’s son, Charles Cole.