African American History

The first African American woman licensed as a racehorse trainer in the United States learned her trade in West Virginia at the Charles Town Racetrack.

Civil rights trailblazer J. R. Clifford died on October 6, 1933, at age 85. He served in an African American unit during the Civil War and founded Martinsburg’s Pioneer Press, the first black-owned newspaper in West Virginia.

Why was the Triangle neighborhood, once steeped in the richness of black music and culture, demolished in 1974 in Charleston, W.Va.? Why were some…

Educator Booker T. Washington was born a slave in Franklin County, Virginia, on April 5, 1856. After the Civil War, he relocated to Malden, a few miles…

African-American educator Fannie Cobb Carter died on March 29, 1973, six months after her 100th birthday. She was born in Charleston in 1872, just months…

A rare book that explores the story of Charleston’s African-American history has been reprinted. The release was announced at an event Monday, hosted by…

Acts of violence and protests resisting racial integration were features in many American communities in the 1950s and 60s. A tiny town in the coalfields…

On this West Virginia Morning, We hear from Ron Pennington about being a trailblazer for African Americans in professional football.

As students and teachers head back to school, West Virginia Public Radio will be airing a four part education series by American Radio Works. Beginning…

The 23rd Annual Jefferson County African American Heritage Festival begins Friday, August 14 in Charles Town.This weekend, the African American Heritage…