L.A. Elementary School Honors Trailblazing Zeta

On Feb. 5, 1980, 37th Street Elementary School was officially renamed the Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary School.

The Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary School

By Jacqueline Sparrow Alpha Psi Zeta Chapter Adopt-A-School Chair

Legacy and legend intersect at 1260 West 36th Place in Los Angeles, CA, where the Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary School is currently located. This school is a celebration of the incredible foresight, unmistakable determination, genuine compassion, and history-making impact of the community legend it honors.

Soror Lenicia B. Weemes transformed the 37th Street Elementary School into her legacy from the moment she became principal in 1969. She changed the trajectory of the school immediately by taking on the responsibility of raising test scores at the small elementary campus near the University of Southern California (USC). She accomplished her initial goal by not just improving reading scores of the first through third grade classes above their average, but also raising them from the lowest in the Los Angeles Unified School District to the highest of Title I schools in the nation. Soror Weemes, a legend, lovingly exemplified and demanded excellence from staff and students.

On Feb. 5, 1980, 37th Street Elementary School was officially renamed the Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary School. County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke was the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony. The Los Angeles Board of Education unanimously approved the name change to honor the school and community leader who served as principal from 1969 until her passing in 1980.

Soror Weemes was a charter member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Psi Zeta Chapter, Los Angeles, and held several leadership positions, including Basileus, Pacific Regional Director, Zetalites Co-Chair, and Associate Chair of Amicae Rededication. In her honor, the Los Angeles Zetas adopted Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary School and is devoted to working with school administration to develop programs and activities that fall in line with the school’s current needs.

Members of Alpha Psi Zeta chapter, Sorors Bettye Gomez and Dr. Sonya Davenport, serve as faculty members at the elementary school and, along with the other Weemes’ teaching staff, provide a rich and rigorous academic program. The chapter consists of many educators with direct knowledge of the strengths and needs within contemporary education. Along with Assistant Principal David Owens, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the chapter is focused on three objectives:

1. LAUSD Black Students Matter Initia-

tive – A series of live discussions with parents and Black educators to improve curriculum and instruction despite systemic racism in our schools. 2. Zeta Reading Round-Up – A service campaign with sorors paired with teachers to read virtually to students weekly. 3. Memorial Plaque Placement – A plan to dedicate the school’s garden as a memorial in honor of Soror Weemes.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Psi Zeta honors Soror Weemes for her innovative work in education, and proudly embraces the learning community that was so dear to her. Alpha Psi Zeta commits themselves as friends, partners, and servants of the Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary School. The legacy of excellence that Soror Weemes created will continue with the work of the chapter in partnership with the staff and students of the Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary School.