These scholars — who might otherwise have been professors at major universities — were concentrated at Dunbar, where they taught Latin, Greek, mathematics, sciences, history, and literature at a level of academic rigor that was matched by few schools of any type in the country.

The graduates of Dunbar went on to distinguished careers in virtually every field.

Charles Drew, who developed techniques for blood banking that saved countless lives during World War II, graduated from Dunbar in 1922.

Benjamin O.

Davis Jr., the commander of the Tuskegee Airmen, graduated in 1929.

Edward Brooke, the first African American elected to the Senate by popular vote, graduated from Dunbar.

The list of distinguished Dunbar alumni is extensive and covers medicine, law, military service, science, the arts, and public service.