Retired judge L Clifford Davis is an alum of Philander Smith, Clark Atlanta University and Howard Law School.  His attempt to attend law school at the University of Arkansas led to its integration.  Davis worked with Thurgood Marshall on the Brown v. Board of Education suit. He moved to Fort Worth and filed lawsuits that led to the desegregation of the Mansfield and Fort Worth public schools.  Davis became the first African American to win an openly contested judicial race in Tarrant County.