Alfred Z. Jordan Kelley, Sr.
1912-1994

One year after the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawed school segregation nationally, Rev. A. Z. Kelley, Sr., a black East Nashville barber, challenged the segregation of the Nashville public schools. On behalf of his oldest son, Robert, Rev. Kelley filed suit as lead plaintiff against the Nashville Board of Education. As a result of this lawsuit, the federal district court directed the school board to desegregate the Nashville public school system in 1957. However, the case was not fully resolved until 1998, making it one of the longest running court cases in Tennessee history.

A tireless worker and contributor to society, Rev. Kelley gave of himself cheerfully and wholeheartedly. After serving his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, he returned to Nashville and opened Kelley’s Barber Shop, an active enterprise for over 50 years. He also taught at Bowman’s Barber College, and was the first black secretary of the local Barber’s Union. His numerous achievements include the following: one term as president of the Nashville branch of the NAACP; participation in the historic March on Washington; Sergeant-at-Arms, Tennessee State Senate; Associate Minister, First Baptist Church, East Nashville; 32^nd degree Mason; licensed funeral director; and accomplished soloist. He was married to Robbie Huff Kelley for 54 years and was blessed with four children, Robert, Ellen, A.Z. Jr., and Canzada.

Canzada Hawkins has generously given of her time by volunteering at our school since its opening. She has had the opportunity to share the legacy that her father left by talking with the students about his influence in Nashville.