Black History Month Celebration: Holmes Family Played A Significant Role In Desegregation Of Georgia

ATLANTA, Jan. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On a cold Friday morning of January 6, 1961, Hamilton E. Holmes became the first African-American male to attend the University of Georgia. He was part of a U.S. Supreme Court landmark decision overturning an existing State of Georgia law and allowed African-Americans to enroll at the state's flagship university.

Hamilton wanted to practice medicine, like his grandfather. For two years, Hamilton attempted to enroll in UGA, but he was denied entry by an existing State of Georgia law. Along with Charlayne Hunter (Gault), Hamilton brought suit to desegregate the university. The U.S. Supreme Court decided in their favor during January of 1961 for immediate implementation. Hamilton was later admitted to Emory University Medical School where he became the first African American to attend and graduate.

This was simply the latest accomplishment for the Holmes family.

This drive for success has been a foundational driving element of the Holmes' family since Dr. Hamilton M. Holmes (family patriarch) first set up his medical practice in 1911. Layers of his grandchildren and great grandchildren have also achieved academic and professional successes. Imagine Grandfather, Father and Son all principals in precedent-setting sea change cases brought before the U.S. Supreme Court in the early Civil Rights era.

In fact, Hamilton's father, Alfred 'Tup' Holmes, had also won a U.S. Supreme Court decision to desegregate public "parks" against The City of Atlanta. Decided in 1955, it opened up public golf courses, public parks and public beaches for the first time.

The family's legacy is much richer and fuller beyond just these cases. In addition to Tup being a principal in the above lawsuits (UGA and City of Atlanta), both his father, Dr. Hamilton M. Holmes, and his brother, Rev. Oliver Wendell Holmes, were principals in the same legal proceedings.

The following generations have been active in securing their rights. Hamilton is the oldest of the next generation, but his brother, Michael, became the first African-American to graduate from the Stanford University School of Business.

The Alfred 'Tup' Holmes Legacy Foundation was established to honor the man who created this legacy of living life with dignity and fighting for human rights that survived long after his passing, as well as the milestone achievements of Hamilton Holmes. 

To support the Foundation, please contact John McClaugherty at 404-771-6261.

SOURCE Alfred 'Tup' Holmes Legacy Foundation