Pioneering Legacy: J.R. Clifford and Civil Rights in Martinsburg
Honoring Black History: JR Clifford, the first African-American lawyer in West Virginia
WBOY 12 News | Tuesday, February 11, 2025
J.R. Clifford, born in 1848 in what is now West Virginia, made history as the first African-American lawyer in the state and was a vital civil rights advocate. His journey began as a soldier in the Civil War before pursuing education at Storer College. In Martinsburg, he taught at Sumner School and launched the Pioneer Press. His landmark case in 1898 challenged educational inequality for black students. Clifford's legacy resonates in the region, reminding locals of the importance of justice and activism, as detailed by WBOY 12 News.
