Alphonso Hale

Alphonso Hale was born in Fayette County, West Virginia. He and his family lived in Barboursville and Charleston. He attended West Virginia State College where he earned a degree in Industrial Arts, and he taught at Lakin Industrial School for Boys from 1946-50.

Hale came to Huntington in 1950 with his wife and family and began working in many businesses in town – Steel of West Virginia, Houdaille Industries Inco Alloys as a crane operator.

Hale was president of the local NAACP and was a representative to the state NAACP. He was the founder of the Huntington Branch of CORE and served on the board of directors for the Barnett Child Care Center and ACTION, Inc. He was a member of First Baptist Church and sponsor of the Soul Searchers. Hale also was a member of the Alexander Freeman Lodge and Owls, Inc. and, at one time, was co-owner of the 17^th Street Market.

Hale promoted civil rights in Huntington and in West Virginia. He was responsible for the integration of the YMCA of Huntington. He also was a mentor to Black students at Marshall University, especially after the 1970 plane crash.