(Clarksdale, Miss.) — Coahoma Community College will commemorate Black History Month 2026 with a series of academic, cultural, and community-focused events throughout February under the national theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” as designated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
This year’s observance comes as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the United States, offering a timely opportunity to reflect on how Black history has been documented, preserved, and recognized over the past century. Coahoma’s programming will explore the evolution of Black History Month, from its origins as Black History Week, founded by historian Carter G. Woodson, to its continued relevance in higher education and public life today.
Rather than treating the observance as symbolic, the College’s 2026 theme focuses on historical memory, civic awareness, and the importance of understanding the contributions of African Americans as central to the American story.
“As the nation reflects on 250 years of the American experiment, Black History Month challenges us to consider not only whose stories have been told, but whose labor, resilience, and vision helped shape this country,” said Jeremy Pittman, Director of the Honors College and chair of the 2026 Black History Month committee. “This observance reinforces that Black history is not separate from American history, it is foundational.”
Under Pittman’s leadership, the committee has designed a schedule that combines scholarly discussion, artistic expression, and community storytelling, reinforcing the College’s role as both an academic institution and a steward of regional history.
2026 Black History Month Event Schedule
Community Storytelling Power Hour: “We Are the Archive”
An oral history initiative featuring faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community
members sharing brief personal narratives. Recorded stories will help preserve local
Black history and lived experiences.
Date: February 13, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Whiteside Hall Lecture Room
Honors College Colloquia Series: “From Carter G. Woodson to #BlackHistoryEveryMonth”
A panel discussion examining the historical development of Black history commemorations
and the ongoing role of institutions in promoting cultural awareness and historical
understanding.
Date: February 17, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Whiteside Hall Lecture Room
Art Exhibition: “Commemorating Blackness”
An interdisciplinary exhibit featuring works by students, faculty, and local artists
that explore themes of memory, identity, celebration, and the future of Black cultural
expression.
Presented by: Department of Fine Arts
Dates: On display throughout February 2026
Black History Convocation
“The Evolution of Black History Month from the Life of an Activist: Lessons Learned”
Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Dianna Freelon-Foster, first African American and first
female Mayor of Grenada, Mississippi. The presentation will reflect on activism, leadership,
and the enduring significance of Black History Month.
Date: February 24, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Pinnacle
Coahoma Community College invites students, employees, alumni, and community members to participate in the month’s activities as the institution continues its mission of education, engagement, and cultural preservation.
For more information about the national Black History Month theme, visit the Association for the Study of African American Life and History at https://asalh.org/black-history-month/about/.