Michigan Minute
Ernest Green: Trailblazer & Activist | September 22
Born on this day in 1941, Ernest Green, a member of the Little Rock Nine, was the first Black student to graduate from Little Rock Central High School in 1958. After attending Michigan State University, where he discovered the anonymous benefactor supporting his education was MSU President John A. Hannah, Green continued his activism and earned degrees in sociology.
- Broadcast on:
- 22 Sep 2024
- Audio Format:
- other
It's September 22nd and this is your Michigan Minute. Earnest Gideon Green, born on this day in 1941 and one of the Little Rock Nine. The group of students who in 1957 were the first black students ever to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. According to his biography from the History Makers, Green was the first black student to graduate from the school in 1958. Following graduation, Green attended Michigan State University and continued to engage in activism and protests supporting the civil rights movement. MSU today reports that he attended MSU at the behest of an anonymous benefactor. Green later learned that the anonymous donor was John A. Hannah, president of Michigan State and an occasional target of protest by civil rights activists including Green. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1962 and a master's degree in Sociology in 1964. And that is your Michigan Minute. [MUSIC PLAYING]