Dunn, Henderson H. (Henderson Hollowell Dunn), 1872-1955
Dates
- Existence: 1872 - 1955
Biographical Note
Henderson Hollowell Dunn (1872-1955) was born in Thibodaux, Louisiana, on December 12, 1872. His parents were Enoch ,a former slave, and Ellen Dunn. Dunn received his early education at the first school for Blacks in Lafourche Parish. The school was organized by his father. Dunn went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1900 and Bachelor of Divinity in 1904 from Straight University. He did further study in education and theology at the University of Chicago. Following his graduation from Straight University, Reverend Dunn taught school and became pastor of Morris Brown Congregational Church in New Orleans. During the years of 1906-1921, he served as pastor of Central Congregational Church in New Orleans. He started many programs to enrich the lives of African Americans in New Orleans. One such program was the first day nursery for African Americans, the Isabella Hume Child Development Center.
In 1924, Henderson H. Dunn resigned as pastor of Central Congregational Church to become regional secretary of the Congregational Churches in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Dunn was an employee of the American Missionary Association and, as regional secretary, he founded and organized the Colored Education Alliance, an organization dedicated to obtaining a expanded number of schools for Black communities. Dunn also began a long successful career as a teacher at Milne Boys Home, where he served as director of the Summer Normal School that trained New Orleans public school teachers. Also as director, he supervised competitive examinations that determined the appointment of qualified persons to teaching position in New Orleans Public School System. In 1950 he retired from teaching.
Dunn was also a news writer for the Times-Picayune newspaper, where he wrote about African American religious and educational news. Many credit him as the first African American who wrote for the Times-Picayune. While at the Times-Picayune he was the director and an ardent worker of the Times-Picayune Doll and Toy Fund. The fund was established to help poorer families during the Christmas season.
Each year from 1911 until his death in 1955 he presented an address at the annual Thanksgiving meeting of the Louisiana Educational Alliance, where he would document the progress of the Blacks in the United States along religious, educational and economic lines. Three years after his death, the New Orleans Public School System honored Henderson H. Dunn by dedicating a elementary school in his name.