Prince Edward County, Virginia has a complex and difficult history in relation to the African American community. One of the most infamous events in Black history in this county was the decision to close public schools from 1959 to 1964 in response to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling desegregating schools.

Rather than integrate their schools, Prince Edward County officials chose to shut them down altogether, denying Black children access to education for five years. This period, known as the "Lost Generation," had a devastating impact on the local African American community, as many families struggled to educate their children through alternative means such as makeshift schools and moving to other areas.

The closure of schools in Prince Edward County became a focal point in the civil rights movement, drawing national attention and leading to legal battles to reopen the schools. In 1964, the Supreme Court ruled in Griffin v. County School Board of Prince Edward County that the county's actions were unconstitutional, paving the way for the reopening of public schools.

The legacy of this dark chapter in Prince Edward County's history continues to impact the community to this day, serving as a reminder of the challenges faced by African Americans in their struggle for educational equality and civil rights.