This article provides a thematic overview of the ways in which black educators, through their professional associations, advocated to create equality of schooling for black children in the pre-"Brown" era. In the struggle for socially just education, Black educators are historically depicted as reluctant participants or employees worried about their future career positions. Conversely, black educators used their professional networks and local connections to support national efforts to provide more equitable education. Using primary and secondary documentation, the author highlights the myriad forms of advocacy black educators used to seek justice for black children, and challenges negative portrayals of black educators in the pre-"Brown" era. (Contains 9 notes.)