Our Mission
The mission of the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library is to expose and introduce students, teachers, and citizens of Ellis County to new ideas as they explore African American history, encouraging critical thinking and creativity.
Our Vision
The Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library vison is to fill a void caused by limited cultural resources available to African Americans in Ellis County and provide educational resources for African-American history and culture.
Our Purpose
The Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. It is a non-profit foundation that qualifies as exempted organization under Section 501c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Our Building
The Hall of Fame is housed in the building formally owned by the colored Knights of Pythias, designed and built in 1926 by William Sydney Pittman, the first African American architect in Texas. It later became the meeting place for Pythagoras and Progressive Prince Hall Masonic Lodges of Texas.
Officers & Board of Directors
Dr. Jamal Randy Allen Rasheed
Founder/Director/CEO
Dr. Jamal Randy Allen Rasheed was born in Memphis, Tennessee, however he was raised from age 4 on the Southside of Chicago where he attended various elementary schools and graduated from the prestigious John Marshall Harlan High School, now an academy. In 1980 he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and in 1986 earned his Master of Arts in Sociology from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. While attending graduate school, Dr. Rasheed completed his internship with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc. as a King Scholar in Atlanta, Georgia under the direction of the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King with emphasis on community development. In 2008 Dr. Rasheed received his Certificate of License to Preach The Gospel Ministry from Greater New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Waxahachie, Tx. under the direction of Dr. Lee Turner, Pastor and in 2012 earned a Doctor of Philosophy in African American Ministry from Newburgh Theological Seminary and College of the Bible. In 2014 Dr. Rasheed received an Associate Degree in Media technology from North College in Irving, Texas.
Over the years, Dr. Rasheed has received several proclamations, resolutions and recognitions on the city, county, state and national level which include a recognition from President George W. Bush for his efforts to educate the nation about prostate cancer. Rasheed is also the 2002 recipient of the Harold P. Freeman Award, a national recognition given by the American Cancer Society. Dr. Rasheed is a 21 year prostate cancer survivor, and wrote a curriculum Prostate Cancer 101 to assist men in understanding and education other about the decease.
He is listed in Outstanding Young Men of America and Who's Who Among Black Americans 6th Edition. Dr. Rasheed also serves as Founder /President of the The Ellis County African American Hall of Fame in Waxahachie, Tx. and The Prince Hall Fraternal Cemetery Association in Waxahachie, TX. He is a member and past national officer of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. former national officer of the Knights of Pythagoras Youth Organization: former state officer of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas, a member of Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine North and South America and a 2005 graduate of Leadership Southwest in Texas. Dr. Rasheed is a contributing author to the book “Shinning Stars” and has published four books, “Crossed at the Cross”, Why Black Men Stray Away from Church. And “Can We Say Something”, a collection of words from our youth, The History of Xi Gamma Chapter-Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and “Nightmare at the Lorraine Motel” Where Did We Go From There In 2020 Dr. Rasheed was elected to serve on Board of Trustees for the Historic Waxahachie, Inc.
The philosophy of Dr. Rasheed is, " Each one should teach one, take a youth by the hand, teach them to understand, and lead them to serve mankind where he will be a part of the solution not the problem.
Rev. Myron Goins, Sr.
Treasurer, Board Member 2021-2024
My name Rev. Myron Goins, Sr. I’m a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Disabled Combat Veteran of U.S Army. My passion is serving our communities in capacities as Preacher, Teacher, Educator and Activist. My background expands over many areas, such as real Estate management, Business/Religion consultant. I currently live in Waxahachie and serve the community on many levels which include voting rights, activism, and social injustices. Currently serve as Community Outreach Liaison and Treasurer for Ellis County African American Museum and Library.
Stephen V. Hunt, Sr.
Board Member 2001-2024
Stephen V. Hunt Sr. is a native of Philadelphia, Pa. and has a Bachelor Degree of Science from the University of Houston. Stephen is a disabled retired United States Airforce Veteran (1996) and also the Director of the Veterans Retreat Center of Houston. Stephen has worked in several areas including Title V, U.S.C. Government Organizations and Employee, Title VII civil Rights, Federal Torts (OWCP) Claims and Military Rights. Stephen is the Chairmen of the Prince Hall Fraternal Cemetery Committee of the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library.
Ben E. Brown
Board Member 2021-2024
Ben Brown is a native of Ennis, Texas, and graduated from Ennis High School in 1975 and Navarro Jr. College in 1977 (Associate Degree, Texas State University – Graduated in 1979 (B.B.A with a concentration in Marketing, Licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Texas – Northlake College. Ben has been in real-estate sales for over 20 years, and in residential real estate 9 years as owner and operator of B-21 Realty Company. He is a Graduate of the 2019 Dallas County Sheriff’s Citizen Academy.
Harold E. Wilson
Board Member Emeritus
Harold E. Wilson is a native of Terrell, Texas and Co-Founder of the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library. He has a Bachelor Degree from Texas A&M Commerce (East Texas State) and is a U.S. Air Force Veteran. Harold serves on the Park Board in Terrell, Texas and is a retired Dallas County Community Supervision and Corrections Supervisor. Harold serves as the Maintenance director for the Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library.