Glenville State University donates to West Virginia Black Heritage Festival

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — With less than a month until the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival (WVBHF), Glenville State University (GSU) president Mark Manchin has already expressed his appreciation of the festival through a donation to it.

On Monday, GSU President Dr. Mark Manchin presented a $5,000 check on behalf of the university to the WVBHF. Manchin’s relationship with the organization began during his time as superintendent of Harrison County Schools when the board of education was located in the Kelly Miller Community Center.

As superintendent, Manchin contributed and assisted with the organization as much as possible, and has continued to do so once gaining his position at GSU.

“We’re here to encourage the communities to continue to grow and many of the foundations and people who are making a difference in so many people’s lives. We’ve come here today in that spirit,” Manchin said.

WVBHF’s Board of Directors Chairman James Griffin said that it was Manchin who donated the Kelly Miller Community Center back to the community and the WVBHF in 2017, and that his donations throughout the years have been greatly appreciated.

Griffin spoke with 12 News on what the $5,000 check would be used for.

“It goes into the general fund to help to pay the overall expenses of the festival. We’re 100 percent volunteer, we have no large overhead so everything that we receive goes directly to the festival,” Griffin said.

The West Virginia Black Heritage Festival will take place Sept. 6-8 in downtown Clarksburg in front of the Harrison County Courthouse. A display of the history of the festival will be held at the Kelly Miller Community Center a week prior for the public to come and enjoy.

As the WVBHF is completely volunteer-based, the organization is always accepting helping hands. You can learn more through the organization’s website and Facebook page .

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