It was just after midnight.

Heart pounding, she looked over her shoulder and slipped into the school.

If her enslavers found out, they might kill her.

She was risking everything, but her task was so important, it was worth the risk.

This is Two Minute Black History, what you didn't learn in school.

Lily Ann Granderson was born enslaved, but she never let the chains keep her bound.

When she was sold downriver to Nesha's Mississippi, she spent some time in the cotton fields,

but Granderson wanted more for herself and her people.

She realized what she had to do.

She wanted to teach.

Granderson could read and write, which was rare at the time, as she wanted to help other

black folks learn too.

So she opened a secret midnight school, but here loomed over.

If she was discovered, her life was over.

She secured the school's alleyway windows and doors tight, and only taught 12 students

at a time, which helped keep things under wraps for years.

Her classes ran from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., as she tirelessly taught until all of her students

were literate.

Because of her teachings, some students were even able to write their own travel passes

and use them to escape enslavement.

Granderson knew that education was crucial to liberation, and because many institutions

are still whitewashed today, we too must be willing to do whatever is necessary to overcome

...