West Division High School Hosts Award Ceremony Honoring Dr. Clayborn Benson
Photos by Milwaukee Times Staff
On Friday, September 11, 2026, Dr. Clayborn Benson was inducted into the West Division High School Alumni Hall of Fame. Dr. Benson is a 1968 graduate of West Division High School now known as Milwaukee High School of the Arts. Those in attendance included representatives from Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), the MPS Alumni Association, Milwaukee High School of the Arts (formerly West Division) and other community guests. Program participants included: Mr. Larry Farris, Principal (Milwaukee High School of the Arts); Dr. Benson’s daughter, Ms. Jamila Benson; Dr. Harry Oden, Former Teacher, WDHS and Former MPS Deputy Superintendent; and Mr. Darryl L. Jackson, Milwaukee Board of Directors.
Dr. Benson was recognized not only for his extraordinary leadership, service, and vision in the Milwaukee community, but for the service he provided during 2020-2021 during the height of the virtual school year at West Division. He provided a unique and transformative opportunity for their journalism students and partnered with TMJ4 News in order to mentor WDHS students as they co-produced television news segments highlighting local “Black History.” Alongside TMJ4 reporters, Dr. Benson shared his vast knowledge, research, and rare video archives. That collaboration culminated into three broadcasted news segments for TMJ4’s “Project Discovery”. Principal Farris stated that “Beyond the screen, the real success was what happened within our students. They gained invaluable professional experience, a tremendous boost in confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose—inspiring at least one student to pursue a career in videography and filmmaking.”
As Executive Director of the Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Museum, Dr. Benson has dedicated his life to preserving, documenting, and amplifying the rich heritage of Black History in Milwaukee and across the state. His impact goes far beyond preserving the past, it actively shapes the future by opening doors for the next generation.
Those present, all agreed that Dr. Clayborn Benson exemplifies the “Very Best” of West Division High School as a leader whose passion for history, dedication to education, and commitment to youth continues to enrich our community.
