In celebration of the school’s history, alumni, current student body and the surrounding community, more than 60 collaborators have joined together to create a historic exhibition, WorkingShop. This interactive exhibition focuses on the history of Ryan Middle School, built in 1926 as Jack Yates Colored High School, and the Third Ward.

The exhibition is located on the Ryan campus in an industrial arts classroom that in 1958 served as the wood shop classroom. These shop classes were part of the Vocational Training that prepared Ryan students to be skilled employees for local businesses, eventually leading to business ownership.