Centennial Year, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Historical marker location:

405 Howard Place Northwest, Pleasant Plains, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from Howard Place Northwest west of 5th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west.)

Marker installed: 2008

The District was the site of the first U.S. public school for black students: The M Street School (later known as Dunbar High School) was founded in 1870 and was the first public school in the United States for black students. The school became known for its high academic standards and produced many notable alumni, including civil rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune.