McKinley Senior High School presented it’s first graduating class to the world in 1916. This accomplishment led to the reputation of being the first publicly funded African American secondary high school in Louisiana. Twelve years later McKinley High School published its first year book, The Panther, 1928, and documented its existence. Later, McKinley High School joined the Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Organization, (LIALO) and proved to be a worthy opponent for all African American high schools throughout the state. From the time of its inception until 1970, approximately 185 secondary high schools were established in Louisiana. 1970 was a pivotal year for African American secondary high schools in Louisiana because approximately 90 per cent of the African American high schools were eliminated. McKinley High School remained part of the core group of African American high schools to continue to exist as a secondary high school.

Fifty-four years after McKinley High School was established, the Panther , the McKinley High School year book, morphed into the “Big M”, 1970. The M designation stands for Machine. At the demise of the LIALO, the Panthers decided to become bigger and better for future tasks. Today, marks a one hundred- and seven-year history of countless accomplishments. The “Big M” 1970 was prepared at the crossroads of McKinley Senior High School’s existence, fifty-three years ago.