Cleo Bolton Memorial Scholarship

Cleo Bolton was one of five children born to Levi and Harriet Bolton. The family settled in the Stewartville community in the early 1900s. The Boltons were among the first formerly enslaved families to settle in northern Shelby County. Many formerly enslaved individuals were given tracts of land that supported Black land ownership and community development along Brunswick Road.

Cleo grew and thrived within the community where she attended and faithfully served at Greenwood AME Church alongside her family. At an early age, Cleo attended Howe Institute. Howe was a Historically Black Educational Institution founded in 1888 by Reverend Peter Howe of Illinois. It was one of the earliest private educational facilities for African Americans in Memphis.

In 1902, Dr. Thomas O. Fuller, a prominent author, churchman, and civic leader, became principal of Howe Institute. The campus consisted of the original Howe building, an industrial shop that supported printing and sewing programs, and later a Teacher’s College building where Cleo matriculated in pursuit of higher education.

Faithful in her commitment to Greenwood AME Church, Cleo attended church often. Upon graduation, she accepted a position with Memphis City Schools at Grant School. She served there faithfully for 47 years. Through her life, she demonstrated that with faith, perseverance, and education, nothing is impossible and that one should always allow their light to shine.