BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Attucks High School, Hopkinsville’s first black-only high school, closed in 1988, but the building may soon reopen. Men 2 Be has launched a campaign to restore the dilapidated building.
The school opened in 1916 and integrated in 1967. Vice Killebrew was a student in the school’s final class before it closed in 1988.
“I spent my fifth and sixth grade years here. “After I left here, I attended Christian County Middle School,” Killebrew explained.
Killebrew and LaDessa Lewis are both members of Men 2 Be, which helps young men aged seven to 18 achieve their goals. According to Lewis, the nonprofit’s co-founder, they are currently working to restore the building.
“It’s a lot of rust, but it ain’t going to be rust too much longer,” Lewis informed us.
For Phase 1, the nonprofit intends to use the building as a tornado shelter, recreation center, and office space for their mission.
In the future, the nonprofit hopes to contribute to the development of a residential area and a history museum to preserve Attucks High School’s legacy.
“We wanted for people to be able to come and see what education looked like,” according to Lewis.
While it will not be an easy task, Lewis believes the overhaul is necessary to preserve history and provide a sanctuary for those in need.
Lewis explained, “It’s a faith walk.” We believe we will accomplish that.”
Men 2 Be hopes to have the first phase completed by the end of 2026.
