The Botetourt County Wide League will commemorate two major milestones in local Black history with a daylong community celebration May 9 at Central Academy Middle School.
The event, titled “May Day 2026,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will recognize 60 years since the integration of Botetourt County schools and 25 years since the historic all-Black Central Academy regained its original name.
Organizers say the celebration will reflect both the history of the school and the broader experience of Black students in Botetourt County before and after integration.
The program will feature activities once held during traditional May Day celebrations at Central Academy between 1959 and 1966, along with historical discussions, musical performances and community fellowship. Planned events include conversations about school life during segregation and integration, a tribute to former administrators and teachers, and a retrospective on the school’s name changes over the decades.
Central Academy was renamed Botetourt Intermediate in 1966 following integration, later became William Clark Middle School in 2001, and regained the Central Academy name later that same year after sustained community advocacy.
Curtis Brown, president of the Botetourt County Wide League, said the event is both a celebration and an opportunity for reflection.
“The Botetourt County Wide League has been around a long time and we are extremely proud of our efforts in making sure that the contributions of Blacks in the county don’t go unnoticed,” Brown said. “On the occasion of these two significant events, we want to take the time to celebrate the path we have traveled, so we’re hopeful others will come out and join us.”
The organization played a key role in advocating for the restoration of the Central Academy name, a process that took years of community involvement and regular attendance at School Board meetings.
Founded in the mid-1930s, the Botetourt County Wide League was established to improve educational opportunities for Black students during segregation. Historical accounts note the group began working with the Botetourt County School Board as early as 1934 to address disparities in education for Black children.
In addition to its historical advocacy, the organization continues to support local students through annual scholarships for graduating seniors at Lord Botetourt and James River High Schools, as well as donations to schools across the county to assist with field trips and supplies.
The May 9 event will also include gospel music, a talent show, games, food and an auction. Organizers encourage community members of all ages to attend and take part in honoring an important chapter of Botetourt County’s history.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
