I AM BLACK HISTORY | Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson

Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson

Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson is Black History because she has dedicated her life to preserving it, protecting it, and expanding access to it.

For nearly two decades, she served as Executive Director of the Houston Public Library from 2005 to 2024, leading one of the largest public library systems in the United States. Under her leadership, Houston’s libraries evolved into more than spaces for books. They became community anchors. Workforce hubs. Technology access points. Cultural preservation centers. Safe spaces for learning, growth, and opportunity.

But Dr. Lawson’s impact reaches far beyond administration.

One of her most historic contributions is the transformation of the Gregory School in Houston’s Freedmen’s Town into the African American History Research Center. The Gregory School was the first public school for African Americans in Houston. By overseeing its preservation and reimagining it as a research and cultural institution, Dr. Lawson ensured that the stories, genealogies, documents, and lived experiences of Black Houstonians would not be erased.

In a city experiencing rapid development and gentrification, that preservation work is revolutionary.

For her commitment to safeguarding Houston’s diverse history, Dr. Lawson was honored with the Heritage Champion Award in February 2026. The recognition affirmed what the community already knew: her leadership leaves a lasting imprint on the cultural identity of this city.

Representation also defines her legacy.

When Dr. Lawson took the helm of the Houston Public Library in 2005, she became one of the few Black women leading a major metropolitan library system in the country. In a profession that has historically lacked diversity at the executive level, her presence broke barriers and opened doors for future leaders in library science and public service.

Her vision consistently centered equity.

Dr. Lawson championed initiatives that addressed digital access gaps, literacy disparities, workforce development, and community engagement in underserved neighborhoods. She understood that access to information is power, and that libraries are foundational to economic mobility and civic participation.

Her advocacy has also extended into public health and social equity. By supporting initiatives such as the THRIVE Maternal Health Tour, she helped connect families to vital health resources while acknowledging the historical mistrust many Black communities carry toward medical institutions. She recognized that literacy, health, and equity are interconnected.

At every stage of her career, Dr. Lawson has pushed institutions to evolve. She has challenged systems to meet the real needs of 21st century communities. She has modeled what it looks like to lead with both strategic excellence and cultural responsibility.

Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson is Black History because she protects legacy while building infrastructure for the future.

She preserved Freedmen’s Town. She redefined public libraries. She expanded access to knowledge. She safeguarded stories that must never be lost.

Black History is not only written in textbooks. It is preserved in archives. It is protected in community institutions. It is carried forward by leaders who understand the weight of memory. And Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson has carried that responsibility with distinction.