Our History

DUNBAR SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATION

In December 2004, a group of former Paul Laurence Dunbar students held an organizational meeting at the Zeta-Sigma Building, 1305 Short Street, Salisbury, NC in response to a letter circulated by former student Arnethia Alexander-Daniels.

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Heritage Scholarship

The Dunbar School Alumni Association, Inc. awards Heritage Scholarships to students that are currently enrolled in higher education. Scholarships are presented to qualified recipients who express a strong desire to give back to their communities.

Applicants must provide proof they are descendants of former students, teachers or administrators of Paul Laurence Dunbar School and is sponsored by a current DASSI Member.

Since 2006 the association has presented recipients with scholarships.

Past recipients have been awarded between $300 - $800.
Ahmad Towens, Jr.

Towens, a sophomore at North Carolina A and T State University, is studying information technology and cyber security. He plans to use this knowledge to protect the lives of individuals. Towens is the grandson of alumni member Sampson Towens and the son of Tasha Locus and Ahmad Towens, Sr.

Brandon Kennedy Richmond

Richmond, who attends Gardner Webb University as a sophomore, is majoring in English and plans to write a book in the future. He says he does not want to become rich or famous but wants someone to feel inspired after reading his work. Brandon is the grandson of alumni members William and Hazel Kennedy and the son of Walillian and Taverest White and Larry Richmond.

Ahmad Towens, Jr.

Towens, a sophomore at North Carolina A and T State University, is studying information technology and cyber security. He plans to use this knowledge to protect the lives of individuals. Towens is the grandson of alumni member Sampson Towens and the son of Tasha Locus and Ahmad Towens, Sr.

Brandon Kennedy Richmond

Richmond, who attends Gardner Webb University as a sophomore, is majoring in English and plans to write a book in the future. He says he does not want to become rich or famous but wants someone to feel inspired after reading his work. Brandon is the grandson of alumni members William and Hazel Kennedy and the son of Walillian and Taverest White and Larry Richmond.

Marcus Amore Blair

Blair will pursue a bachelor’s in visual and digital arts at Fayetteville State University. He hopes to eventually obtain a master’s degree. He is the son of Mark Blair and Libby Toppings and the grandson of Dunbar School association member Ola Mae Blair Robbins.

Paris Hacket

Hacket is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pursuing a bachelor’s in Media Journalism and Studio Art with a minor in African American studies. Her grandmother is Olean Hall and her great uncle is Reginald Massey

Paris Hackett University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Hackett is pursuing a double major in media and journalism and studio art. She said money from the scholarship will help her study abroad in the fall. She is the daughter of Jimmie and Monica Hackett and the granddaughter of alumni member Olean Hall.

Patrick Health Tillman Central Piedmont Community College

Through a dual enrollment cohort with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Tillman plans to major in theater. In his statement of future plans, Patrick said, “My dream is to act, write and direct performances on Broadway or any other major city with a theater district.” Patrick is the son of Patrick and Stacy Tillman and the nephew of alumni member Gretta Heath Saunders.

Myles Holland

Holland, grandson of Carolyn Long Napoleon, who said, “My natural knack for helping people has led me to pursue a career in medicine, specifically for the skin. Since junior high school, I have wanted to become a dermatologist. My interest in dermatology was piqued when I learned that my grandfather had skin cancer. I immediately went to the internet and researched the topic. It would be great if I could discover a less painful way to get rid of skin cancer.” Myles is enrolled at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Miles P. Hackett

After graduation, Miles P. Hackett plans to use his biomedical engineering knowledge and skills to continue exposing at-risk elementary children to STEM education. His involvement with similar students created a desire to provide fellow engineers as mentors for struggling students. Miles is pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the grandson of Jimmie L. Hackett Sr., a 1957 graduate of Dunbar High School.

Devan Corpening

Maultsby is the grandson of Dunbar alumnus Sandra Witherspoon Corpening. A student at Savannah State University in Georgia, Maultsby

Kristen Suzette Johnson

Kristen Suzette Johnson, a junior political science major at University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Johnson is the granddaughter of association president Benjamin Davis.

Amber Carter

Amber Carter is the daughter of Crystal M. Carter. A freshman at Allen University, she plans to major in animal science to pursue a career as a veterinary technician. Carter is the niece of alumni member Patricia Mallett.

Salim Collins

Salim Collins is pursuing a business management degree at Winston-Salem State University. He would like to eventually open a literacy training center to address the needs of children and adults. He is the son of Patrina and Dwayne Collins and the nephew of alumna Ethel K. Evans.

Kristen Johnson

Johnson is the daughter of Dr. Earl and Ophelia Johnson and the granddaughter of Dunbar Alumni Association Inc. President Benjamin Davis and Suzette Davis. An honor student, she is continuing her education at North Carolina A&T University, where she plans to major in political science. She describes herself as a “dedicated, goal-oriented student who aspires to work in media, law and government.”

Devan Corpening

Devan Corpening is completing her second year of studies at Winston-Salem State University. An avid tennis player, Corpening is a member of the university’s tennis team, a volunteer at community tennis events and a youth tennis instructor. She plans to pursue a career in pediatrics. She is the granddaughter of association member Kathleen Corpening and the daughter of Dock and Martina Corpening.

Adrianne S. Charleston

Adrianne S. Charleston is a student in good standing at East Carolina University in Greenville. She majors in recreational therapy. She is a niece of Kathleen Corpening of Granite Quarry.

Malcolm J. McMillion

Malcolm J. McMillion is currently a senior at St. Augustineís College in Raleigh and is pursuing a degree in human performance and wellness concept of physical education. He is a native of East Spencer and the nephew of Catherine Kiser Bradley of Salisbury.

Ashlyne Reid

Reid is a sophomore accounting major at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she is a chancellor’s list student. She is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Black Business Students Association and the Neo-Black Society Gospel Choir and a peer mentor. She is the granddaughter of two alumni, Mamie Byers Hairston and Maggie Scotton Reid.

Christopher Sifford

Sifford is a senior studying political science at Winston-Salem State University where he is attorney general and chairman of the Judicial Council and chief justice of the Student Government Association. He plans to eventually attend law school. He is the grandson of alumni Lorene Anderson Massey.

Adrianne S. Charleston

Adrianne S. Charleston is a freshman at East Carolina University majoring in recreational therapy administration with the goal of becoming a nurse. She has been active on campus with the marching band, Black Student Union, cultural committee and as an on-campus referee. Her GPA is 2.0. The niece of Kathleen Corpening, Charleston is described as being determined, dedicated, compassionate and well-disciplined. Her lifestyle has been balanced with education, work, extracurricular activities and church

Latisha L. Gaither

Latisha L. Gaither is a senior at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She is majoring in biology with a minor in business and psychology and has a GPA of 3.34. The granddaughter of Clara Addison Gaither, she believes hard work pays off, and she enjoys being involved in her university and community. On campus, she is a Presidential Ambassador, resident advisor, a tutor in math and English and an honor student who has served on the Honor Student Association executive board.

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Year Books

Originally named the East Spencer Negro School, which opened in 1900, the school changed its name to Dunbar High School in 1958. These are the first digitized high school yearbooks in the town of East Spencer, N.C.

The DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL yearbooks, THE BAR, THE TIGER’s BAR, then later named The TIGER, range from 1950 through 1969. Donations for missing years of the yearbooks are accepted and may be donated to the Rowan County Public Library in Salisbury, NC. Once implemented into their system the yearbook(s) will appear here for viewing.

The Tiger 1968 Rowan Public Library

The 1968 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1968
The Tiger 1969 Rowan Public Library

The 1969 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1969
The Tiger 1967 Rowan Public Library

The 1967 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1967
The Tiger 1968 Rowan Public Library

The 1968 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1968
The Tiger 1969 Rowan Public Library

The 1969 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1969
The Tiger 1966 Rowan Public Library

The 1966 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1966
The Tiger 1967 Rowan Public Library

The 1967 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1967
The Tiger 1968 Rowan Public Library

The 1968 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1968
The Tiger's Bar 1965 Rowan Public Library

The 1965 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1965
The Tiger 1966 Rowan Public Library

The 1966 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1966
The Tiger 1967 Rowan Public Library

The 1967 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1967
The Tiger's Bar 1964 Rowan Public Library

The 1964 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1964
The Tiger's Bar 1965 Rowan Public Library

The 1965 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1965
The Tiger 1966 Rowan Public Library

The 1966 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1966
The Bar 1963 Rowan Public Library

The 1963 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1963
The Tiger's Bar 1964 Rowan Public Library

The 1964 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1964
The Tiger's Bar 1965 Rowan Public Library

The 1965 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1965
The Bar 1962 Rowan Public Library

The 1962 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1962
The Bar 1963 Rowan Public Library

The 1963 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1963
The Tiger's Bar 1964 Rowan Public Library

The 1964 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1964
The Bar 1961 Rowan Public Library

The 1961 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1961
The Bar 1962 Rowan Public Library

The 1962 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1962
The Bar 1963 Rowan Public Library

The 1963 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1963
The Bar 1960 Rowan Public Library

The 1960 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1960
The Bar 1961 Rowan Public Library

The 1961 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1961
The Bar 1962 Rowan Public Library

The 1962 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1962
The Bar 1959 Rowan Public Library

The 1959 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1959
The Bar 1960 Rowan Public Library

The 1960 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1960
The Bar 1961 Rowan Public Library

The 1961 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1961
The Bar 1958 Rowan Public Library

The 1958 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1958
The Bar 1959 Rowan Public Library

The 1959 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1959
The Bar 1960 Rowan Public Library

The 1960 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1960
The Bar 1957 Rowan Public Library

The 1957 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1957
The Bar 1958 Rowan Public Library

The 1958 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1958
The Bar 1959 Rowan Public Library

The 1959 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1959
The Bar 1956 Rowan Public Library

The 1956 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1956
The Bar 1957 Rowan Public Library

The 1957 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1957
The Bar 1958 Rowan Public Library

The 1958 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1958
The Bar 1955 Rowan Public Library

The 1955 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1954
The Bar 1956 Rowan Public Library

The 1956 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1956
The Bar 1957 Rowan Public Library

The 1957 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1957
The Bar 1954 Rowan Public Library

The 1954 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1954
The Bar 1955 Rowan Public Library

The 1955 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1954
The Bar 1956 Rowan Public Library

The 1956 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1956
The Bar 1951 Rowan Public Library

The 1951 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1951
The Bar 1954 Rowan Public Library

The 1954 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1954
The Bar 1955 Rowan Public Library

The 1955 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1955
The Bar 1950 Rowan Public Library

The 1950 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C. This is the first published yearbook for Dunbar High School.

Explore On 1950
The Bar 1951 Rowan Public Library

The 1951 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1951
The Bar 1954 Rowan Public Library

The 1954 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1954
The Bar 1954 Rowan Public Library

The 1954 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1954
The Bar 1950 Rowan Public Library

The 1950 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C. This is the first published yearbook for Dunbar High School.

Explore On 1950
The Bar 1951 Rowan Public Library

The 1951 annual yearbook for Dunbar High School in East Spencer, N.C.

Explore On 1951

Donate a Dunbar Yearbook to the Rowan Public Library in Salisbury NC if you have a year(s) that are excluded.

Hall Of Fame

Retired Rear Admiral Larry Poe was a member of the class of 1961. He attended Livingstone College before transferring to UNC Chapel Hill, where he received a B.S. degree in science. Poe received advanced degrees from several institutions of higher education prior to enlisting in the United States Navy where he eventually earned the rank of Rear Admiral.

Willie Jean Kennedy graduated as the Valedictorian of the class of 1962. Kennedy attended Livingstone College as one of the first recipients of a Future Teacher Scholarship provided by the State of North Carolina. After graduating with a BA degree in English, she was hired to teach English at the school from which she graduated, and has since provided more than three decades of service to the students and teachers in the Rowan-Salisbury School System. She is currently completing her third consecutive term on the Rowan-Salisbury Schools Board of Education.

Rev. Reginald Massey was a member of the class of 1964. He earned a BA degree in Sociology from Livingstone College & a master of divinity degree from Hood Theological Seminary. Rev. Massey is recorded in historical records as the first African American mayor of the Town of East Spencer. During his three terms as mayor, Rev. Massey was appointed to the Intergovernmental Commission by the governor of North Carolina. After his tenure as mayor, he worked as the first African American chaplain at the William "Bill" Heffner VA Medical Center. An ordained minister, Rev. Massey also pastored at several AME Zion churches.

Events

Honoring the Memory and Legacy of Dunbar School

Sports Hall of Fame Inductees attend Luncheon

1959 Dunbar School Hall of Fame Inductees, Johua Drafton, Robert Cockerl Jr. and Clarence McKee. Also pictured is William Kennedy, former President and current Vice President of the Dunbar School Alumni Association, Inc.

2nd DUNBAR MASS REUNION Information

September 9-11, 2022

Friday, September 9, 2022: MEET & GREET

  • Geneva I. Oglesby Community Center
  • 663 Dunns Mountain Rd, Granite Quarry, NC 28146
  • 6:00pm - 10:00pm (reunion participants sign-in and socialize)

Saturday, September 10, 2022: PARADE

  • PARADE
  • 10:30am - 11:30am
  • Long Street, East Spencer, NC
    Municipal Bldg. -
    Kiddieland Daycare
  • Free to the public

Saturday, September 10, 2022: COOKOUT

  • COOKOUT following the Parade (Reunion Ticket Holders)
  • Royal Giants Park, located in East Spencer, NC
  • 200 Robinson Rd, NC 28144 (First right after the traffic light at the intersection of Long and Andrews streets)

Saturday, September 10, 2022: GALA

  • Dunbar Mass Reunion GALA
  • Livingstone College, Hospitality Center
  • 530 Jake Alexander Ave
  • Salisbury, NC 28144
  • 7:00pm - 11:00pm (Reunion Ticket Holders)

Sunday, September 11, 2022:

  • Memorial Service
  • TBD

DUNBAR MASS REUNION PHOTOS

2nd DUNBAR MASS REUNION Information

Donations

Yearly Membership Dues $40.00

Membership Application

Pay Dues
Mass Reunion Registration $85.00 Registration


Tiger Donations
  • Tiger Supporters: $10.00 - $99.00
  • Tiger Patrons: $100.00 - $499.00
  • Tiger Benefactors: $500.00 - $999.00
    • Tiger Donations

Business Sponsors $500 Plus

Merchandise

Dunbar High School T-Shirts
Dunbar High School Caps
Dunbar High School Hoodies
Dunbar High School Masks
Dunbar High School T-Shirts
Dunbar High School Caps
Tech Gadgets
Kitchenware / Drinkware
Health
Outdoor
Miscellaneous

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