The racial makeup of the school is 100% African American.

[6] Lanier was founded in 1925 as a junior and senior high school.

It was named after William Henry Lanier (1855–1929), who was superintendent of black schools in Jackson from 1912 until his death.

[1] Due to segregation, Lanier was reserved for black students until 1969,[7] when Jackson schools were integrated by law.

[8] In 2023, Brinkley Middle consolidated into Lanier High.