John R. Henderson's Early Life

John R. Henderson was born on June 15, 1921, in a predominantly poor Black and Mexican neighborhood of Wichita County, Kansas. After graduating high school in 1939, Henderson moved to Louisiana, where his father was born, following his parents who had left the year before. In Louisiana, Henderson began attending a small Black university in Baton Rouge. During this time, Henderson faced difficulties in school due to inadequate resources such as clothing. He decided to return to Kansas in January of 1940. Henderson did return to Louisiana later that year at the bequest of his mother, who urged him to attend university. From September of 1940 to May of 1943 Henderson attended Grambling State University, a historically Black university.

Given the time period, which historical event(s) may have contributed to inadequate resources for John R. Henderson?

Henderson joined the military in May of 1943. After an honorable discharge in 1946, Henderson enrolled at Friends University, using the G.I. Bill and worked for the wealthy Coleman family (that invented the Coleman lantern). He also helped establish a chapter of Congress for Racial Equality (CORE). Upon graduation in 1948, Henderson struggled to find work as a Black, male teacher. This allowed him to decide to follow his dreams of becoming an architect. The 1940s were also full of joy for Henderson as he married Gloria E. Thomas and raised his son, Lynn B. Henderson.

Immediately after graduation from Friends University, Henderson enrolled at Kansas State University in their architecture program. Henderson graduated in 1952 and renewed his job search. Thanks to urban renewal, many cities were hiring city planners and Henderson found a job as a junior city planner in Youngstown, Ohio. He became licensed shortly after Robert P. Madison – the first Black architect of Ohio. Henderson succeeded in his job for three years. Henderson later worked for an architectural firm in Akron, Ohio.