Black Woman Finally Awarded Valedictorian Title Almost 40 Years After She Graduated

A Black woman was named valedictorian almost 40 years after graduating from her Illinois high school as “Top Student,” which she shared with a white student. 

Tracey Meares, 55, was finally granted the honor after a screening of the documentary No Title For Tracey, which sheds light on her story. The title was awarded to her by the superintendent of Springfield Public Schools District 186.

“We have seen that high school experiences can have a profound, lifelong impact. It was an honor to have Tracey here and a privilege to learn from such an accomplished alumna,” superintendent of the Springfield Public Schools District 186, Jennifer Gill, said.

Meares was set to be the first Black valedictorian, typically awarded to the student with the top grades, at her graduation in 1984. Instead, she was forced to share the title of Top Student with the white student whose grades would have earned them the salutatorian title. 

Meares was “upset and angry” at the time and believes she was not granted valedictorian due to her skin color. Now, Meares is powerful and confident. She went on to become a highly successful professor at Yale Law School. She became the first Black woman to earn tenure at the prestigious school.

“I hope by telling the story I can make others understand and hopefully grow,” Meares told CNN. She says making the documentary has given her a broader understanding of racism, which she hopes does the same for the audience.