This research explores the historical development of African American teacher and principal hiring and placement in Columbus, Ohio, from 1940 to 1980. In 1909, the Columbus Board of Education established Champion Avenue School creating a de facto segregated school to educate the majority of African American children and to employ Black educators. Over the next 50 years, Columbus created a de facto system of education where Black educators were hired and placed exclusively. This research illuminates how an unintended detriment such as de facto segregation actually developed Black leadership, and strengthened and empowered the community before and after "Brown."