Meyzeek Middle School in Louisville, KY is named for the "Dean of Negro education and civil rights supporters of Kentucky," Albert Ernest Meyzeek. Meyzeek spent half a century (1893-1943) as principal of several segregated public schools in Louisville, and trained nearly 75% of the city's African American teaching staff. During his tenure as principal, he upgraded many schools, expanding the curriculum and establishing a school library. This led to the opening of a public library branch in Louisville for African Americans, at a time when local libraries denied blacks access to their facilities. Meyzeek even campaigned for the admission of blacks to the University of Louisville, and is credited with opening that institution to all minority students.

Meyzeek was as passionate about community issues as he was about education. He spearheaded a group which gained legislation for the admission of African American women to local nursing training at General Hospital. During World War I , Meyzeek urged Camp Zachary Taylor to assign African American Military Police, which paved the way for the first hiring of black civilian policemen in the city after the war. He helped found the Louisville YMCA and served as its chairman. After his investigation of the housing problems for minorities, Meyzeek helped start the Louisville Urban League in 1937 and served as chairman of that organization. Also, Meyzeek denounced publicly police officer's policy of entering schools for the purpose of correcting rebellious youths. This led to the establishment of the juvenile court system in Louisville, where he served as a volunteer probation officer for six years.

Meyzeek's life was spent fighting to gain opportunities for African American men and women and against segregation at the city and state level. Even in death his compassion continued. When he died in 1963, his will arranged for a revolving scholarship fund to assist African American students entering the University of Louisville.

 Source:

Dunnigan, Alice, The Fascinating Story of Black Kentuckians: Their Heritage and Traditions, Washington, D.C.1976