100 Years Later: Honoring the Legacy of Negro History Week in Huntington

Black History Month has always mattered in Huntington, but 2026 is especially important. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Carter G. Woodson’s founding of Negro History Week and the 50th anniversary of Black History Month as we know it today. Woodson’s connection to Huntington runs deep – he lived here and attended Frederick Douglass High School (eventually leading it). Those experiences helped shape the vision that became Black History Month.

Instead of looking back, this milestone invites us to consider how Black History continues to shape Huntington today.

This year, Huntington is focusing on living history by highlighting educators, artists, leaders, students, and community members who are shaping the city today. Through academic discussions and cultural events, the emphasis is on connection, education, and participation, uniting the community to learn from the past while continuing the work that began 100 years ago.

To mark the centennial, Marshall University is teaming up with the City of Huntington and Marshall Health Network for a year-long effort to honor the legacy of Negro History Week and carry its mission forward.

A Centennial Committee has also been established to plan events and programming throughout the year. Instead of limiting the celebration to one month, the committee is ensuring that conversations, education, and community engagement extend beyond February.

One important part of the centennial effort is the Online Black History Courses Program. Inspired by Dr. Woodson’s Home Study Department, which once offered courses to people who didn’t learn Black history in school, Marshall now has 34 beginner, non-credit online courses open to people in Huntington and around the world.

The courses cover topics including Black History, the Arts, Literature, Journalism, Black Appalachia, and Huntington Area History. Participants may take individual courses or multiple offerings, and those who complete three or more related courses can earn a certificate in Black History.

This centennial is impactful because it connects Huntington’s past with its present. It honors Dr. Woodson’s vision while creating new opportunities for education and engagement. A century later, the mission remains unchanged: to promote understanding, recognition, and empowerment through learning.

To learn more about the centennial committee and explore upcoming events, visit: https://www.marshall.edu/centennial/