100 Years Strong: Future Heirlooms in Motion

For 100 years, the Jefferson School has stood as more than a building. It has been a beacon of education, resilience, opportunity, and community for generations of families in Charlottesville. Built during an era when access to quality education was denied to many African Americans, the Jefferson School became a place where dreams were nurtured, leaders were developed, and a community found strength in one another despite the racial and social barriers placed before them.

As Charlottesville commemorates the centennial of this historic landmark, the Jefferson School Foundation, Soul of Cville, and Prolyfyck invite the community to celebrate a century of impact through movement, reflection, and connection. The 100 Year Strong: Legacy Run, Future Heirlooms event brings together runners, walkers, families, alumni, and community members to honor the past while embracing the future.

As we reflect on what the Jefferson School meant to Black Americans seeking education and advancement in the face of segregation, we also ask a new question: What does this institution mean to today's generation, and what role will it play in shaping the next 100 years? This celebration honors those who came before us while inspiring those who will carry the legacy forward.

Join us as we run, walk, reflect, and celebrate 100 years of history, community, and possibility. Together, we honor the legacy we inherited and help define the future we will leave behind.