Marshall University
Huntington, WV
A Cultural Center in the Heart of Black Appalachia
First conceptualized in 2023, the Black Appalachian Cultural Center is the vision of Dr. Cicero M. Fain, III. His goal is to document and promote Black Appalachian history and the rich cultural tapestry of the region. He assembled a team of experts to help bring this vision to life. Black Appalachian Cultural Center leaders and board members are driven by a shared desire to preserve Black Appalachian history and foster deep community connection. We are working to establish a vibrant hub at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, for collaboration and cultural enrichment, ensuring that Black Appalachian stories continue to inspire generations to come.
Our Vision
We envision a state of the art, world class Black Appalachian living history and cultural center at Marshall University in Huntington, WV, that will serve as a hub of creativity, community, vitality, and lifelong learning in an evolving diversified regional cultural heritage tourism economy.
Our Mission
The Black Appalachian Cultural Center’s mission is to advance the understanding, celebration, and preservation of Black Appalachian cultural heritage through dynamic and accessible exhibitions, programs, initiatives, and collections in the Central Appalachia Region.
Catalyst
The Center will be guided by its mission to be a catalyst for trust, cultural and racial pride, and social and environmental justice through the recovery, preservation, and to chronicle the diverse histories, cultures, and identities of Black Appalachians and their contributions to the state, region, nation, and globe.
Collaboration
The Center will function as a place of collaboration, engagement, exploration, and innovation that links Huntington, West Virginia, to other audiences, museums, educational institutions, and organizations that align with its mission.
Creativity
The Center will foster a creative environment that includes visual, performing, musical, literary, and folk arts, that values and utilizes the creative work of local artists and writers to strengthen and enrich the fabric of community life.
Education
The Center will provide a voice to the historically voiceless by serving as a nexus of education, scholarly inquiry, artistic, and cultural exploration of the Black Appalachian experience.
Economic Development
The Center will actively serve, through its promotion of events, exhibits, festivals, programs, and presentations, as a prosperity platform for economic development and cultural tourism.
Our Core Values
What we stand for
Dr. Cicero M. Fain, III
Professor of History and Assistant Provost of Access & Opportunity, Marshall University
Black Appalachian Cultural Center
Chief Executive Officer
Our Leadership Team
The visionary and organizers who are working to build the Black Appalachian Cultural Center at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
Dr. Alan Letton
Director, Center for Economic and Cultural Development in Black Appalachian and Isolated Communities, Marshall University
Black Appalachian Cultural Center
Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Jennifer Robinette
Assistant Professor of Public Relations,
W. Page Pitt School of Journalism & Mass Communications, Marshall University
Black Appalachian Cultural Center
Chief Communications Officer
Dr. Cicero M. Fain, III
Board Chairperson
Assistant Provost of Access & Opportunity
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
Dr. William H. Turner
Board Member
Professor Emeritus, Berea College, Consultant/Author/Speaker, Retired
Spring, TX
Paul Papadopolous, Esq.
Board Member
Co-Chair, State & Local Taxation Practice Group, Spillman, Thomas, & Battle
Charleston, WV
Steve Lawrence
Board Member
Principal
Steve Lawrence & Associates
Chicago, IL
Elliott Hicks, Esq.
Board Member
Principal
Elliot Hicks Mediation Services
Charleston, WV
Board of Directors
Guided by a shared commitment to cultural preservation and community empowerment, our board provides strategic direction for the Black Appalachian Cultural Center.
Dr. Alan Letton
Board Member
Director, Center for Economic and Cultural Development in Black Appalachian and Isolated Communities
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
Guy Vickers
Board Member
President
PVH Foundation
New York, NY
Bryan Ridgeway
Board Member
Consultant, Global Strategist
Skateistan
Orange County, CA
Barbara Woods
Board Member
Consultant, Business Development
Advantage Valley
Huntington, WV
Ray Whiting
Board Member
Vice President
WVFREE
Charleston, WV
Janice Cooley
Board Member
Board of Directors
Greenbrier Historical Society
Lewisburg, WV
Phil Armstrong
Board Member
President/CEO
Oklahoma Center for Justice and Community,
Tulsa, OK
Megan Archer
Board Member
CEO/President
Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce
Huntington, WV
Stephanie Tyree
Board Member
Executive Director
WV Community Development Hub
Fayetteville, WV
Dr. Sara Loftus
Board Member
Deputy Director
Unlimited Future, Inc.
Huntington, WV