Blackburn Middle School was featured on the WJTV news segment 'School of the Day' during its early morning newscasts Friday, August 10, 2012.
Construction of a new building for Blackburn Middle School was completed and unveiled to the community January 3, 2012. The new building has the capacity to serve as many as 650 students. It has a two-story education wing with 24 classrooms and modern amenities in labs, gymnatorium and cafeteria. Due to its proximity to Jackson State University, the school's architecture closely resembles that of the university's new buildings. Students can see the JSU campus from many of the classrooms at Blackburn.
Marietta Carter is the principal at Blackburn which has a current enrollment of 450 students in grades 6-8.
Blackburn Middle School is named for William W. Blackburn (1873-1957), a Port Gibson native who taught mathematics and served as a principal of serveral Mississippi public schools. He traveled the state as a Rosenwald Agent for the Mississippi State Department of Education to help the state improve education for African American children through the construction of schools funded by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, part-owner of Sears, Roebuck and Company. Blackburn also committed 30 years to the Mississippi Teachers Association. He served the organization in many roles, including as president, executive secretary and editor of its journal.