Charles H. Thompson is best known as the founder and the first editor-in-chief of "The Journal of Negro Education" (1932-1963). Throughout his career, Thompson sought to extend educational opportunity in ways that were "for the good of Negro education as a whole." His main concern was in educating future leaders for service in African American communities. Therefore, he sought to shape curriculum and instruction at Howard in order to achieve that end. In 1939, Thompson suggested that there was a need for added specialization in African American higher education that would allow Howard to focus on educating gifted students of color. This article provides evidence that Thompson's model and methods are of continuing relevance.