Night is Coming: The Christiansburg Institute

One hundred and sixty years ago, African Americans in Appalachian Virginia rose from slavery and segregation to build Christiansburg Institute, a school whose reputation rivaled Tuskegee and Hampton. Now external threats and internal turmoil—including a 2026 lawsuit—endanger its legacy. Night is Coming chronicles the school’s century of service, including 20 years under Booker T. Washington, and tells an epic story of Black triumph and tragedy deserving a place alongside the defining stories of Black history.

Speaker Bio:

Michael Hemphill is the creator of the EMMY Award-nominated BUZZ public television show, which highlights and helps Southwest Virginia nonprofit organizations. He and his daughter, Emily Hemphill, co-authored the forthcoming book Night is Coming: The Untold Story of African-American Triumph and Tragedy at Christiansburg Institute. This online program is offered by the Lifetime Learning Institute of Virginia Tech.