Last updated: October 7, 2024
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Griggs Business and Practical Arts College (Memphis, Tennessee)
African American Civil Rights Network
Griggs Business and Practical Arts College was a business and vocational school in Memphis, Tennessee founded by Emma J. Griggs. The school offered secondary training to Black students during a period when African Americans’ educational opportunities were limited.
Emma Griggs was born Emma Williams in Portsmouth, Virginia during the 1870s. She attended educational institutions for American Americans and Black women in Virginia and developed a life-long interest in learning and education. At 17 years old, she began her teaching career.
In 1897, she and Sutton E. Griggs, a Baptist minister, married in Virginia. In addition to pastoral work, Sutton was a prolific author and a social activist. In his writing, activism, and ministry he advocated racial justice and social equality. He participated in the Niagara Movement, a civil rights group which later led to the establishment of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). However, Sutton also championed approaches to toppling Jim Crow and improving the lot of African Americans that at times placed him outside the mainstream of Black leadership.
In 1900, the couple left Virginia and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. There, Sutton pastored a church, published, and worked in the community. Emma likewise involved herself in the church and community organizations. She also furthered her education at local institutions and taught several courses in a private school she founded. The Griggs family would move cities a few more times. In 1913, Emma, Sutton, and their daughter Eunice moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Three years later, Emma established the college and graduated several African American women during the school’s first commencement. In 1933, the Griggs family relocated to Houston, Texas where Sutton Griggs died soon after.
After her husband’s death, Emma and Eunice returned to Memphis where Emma worked to continue the school and honor her late husband. For approximately 10 years, Emma operated the small college from her home before purchasing a school building. In 1944, Emma chartered the school as “Griggs Business and Practical Arts College.” Four years later, Emma died but the school continued to operate. In 1949, the school moved to its present location where it remained open until 1974. In its history, the school offered a variety of courses to African Americans in Memphis ranging from accounting, stenography, and typewriting, to religious education, flower making, and food preparation.
Griggs Business and Practical Arts College became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2023.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.
Griggs Business and Practical Arts College was a business and vocational school in Memphis, Tennessee founded by Emma J. Griggs. The school offered secondary training to Black students during a period when African Americans’ educational opportunities were limited.
Emma Griggs was born Emma Williams in Portsmouth, Virginia during the 1870s. She attended educational institutions for American Americans and Black women in Virginia and developed a life-long interest in learning and education. At 17 years old, she began her teaching career.
In 1897, she and Sutton E. Griggs, a Baptist minister, married in Virginia. In addition to pastoral work, Sutton was a prolific author and a social activist. In his writing, activism, and ministry he advocated racial justice and social equality. He participated in the Niagara Movement, a civil rights group which later led to the establishment of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). However, Sutton also championed approaches to toppling Jim Crow and improving the lot of African Americans that at times placed him outside the mainstream of Black leadership.
In 1900, the couple left Virginia and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. There, Sutton pastored a church, published, and worked in the community. Emma likewise involved herself in the church and community organizations. She also furthered her education at local institutions and taught several courses in a private school she founded. The Griggs family would move cities a few more times. In 1913, Emma, Sutton, and their daughter Eunice moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Three years later, Emma established the college and graduated several African American women during the school’s first commencement. In 1933, the Griggs family relocated to Houston, Texas where Sutton Griggs died soon after.
After her husband’s death, Emma and Eunice returned to Memphis where Emma worked to continue the school and honor her late husband. For approximately 10 years, Emma operated the small college from her home before purchasing a school building. In 1944, Emma chartered the school as “Griggs Business and Practical Arts College.” Four years later, Emma died but the school continued to operate. In 1949, the school moved to its present location where it remained open until 1974. In its history, the school offered a variety of courses to African Americans in Memphis ranging from accounting, stenography, and typewriting, to religious education, flower making, and food preparation.
Griggs Business and Practical Arts College became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2023.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.