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Kitrell Junior College
Kittrell College, established in 1886 in Kittrell, North Carolina, by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, was a historically Black institution dedicated to providing education and vocational training to African American students. Originally founded as Kittrell Normal and Industrial School, it evolved over the years to offer both high school and junior college programs. The college played a significant role in educating underprivileged African Americans during the era of segregation.
During the Prince Edward County school closures from 1959 to 1964, Kittrell College became a refuge for African American students denied education in their home county. In 1959, under the leadership of Reverend L. Francis Griffin and AME minister A. I. Dunlop, 63 students from Prince Edward County were enrolled in Kittrell’s high school program. This initiative provided these students with the opportunity to continue their education despite the local government’s refusal to integrate public schools.
The support from Kittrell College and the AME Church was instrumental in ensuring that these students did not lose years of education. The collaboration between Kittrell College and civil rights leaders exemplifies the broader efforts within the African American community to combat educational inequality during the civil rights movement.
