After the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, West Virginia began integrating its schools. Governor William Marland supported the decision.

Most of West Virginia worked toward school integration, though some areas near the Virginia border resisted. Greenbrier County reversed a short trial at integration after protests. Other counties, including Boone, Barbour, and Mercer, delayed the start of the year or witnessed occasionally violent protests. Other counties like Monongalia supported quick integration.

By 1957, 20 counties were fully integrated, 21 were partially, and 11 had no Black students. Protests continued into the late 1950s, including a school bombing in Osage and bomb threats in other towns.

Colleges also integrated. By 1956, all except Glenville State had enrolled Black students. Traditionally Black colleges like West Virginia State and Bluefield State saw big changes, with more White students enrolling.

Still, integration came with unanticipated challenges—after Black schools closed, teachers lost jobs, and Black communities lost important institutions.