Black History Month

Throughout the month, we will uplift stories and creative expressions that highlight authenticity and illustrate the many shades of Blackness, explored through hairstyles, art, adornment, and connections to the global diaspora.

By fostering spaces for meaningful dialogue and connection, we aim to celebrate how pride and resilience are woven into the fabric of Black generational experiences. The theme encourages us to look forward, engaging with movements like Afrofuturism, while also reflecting on the strength rooted in shared and unique histories. Through intergenerational storytelling and programming, we invite everyone to join in recognizing and amplifying the greatness within Black communities. Inspiring genuine understanding, sparking creativity, and cultivating deeper appreciation for the gold within our melanin and the greatness in our history.

Black History Month at U-M is led by the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs' Black History Month planning committee, in close partnership with Trotter Multicultural Center, Support for Incoming Black Students (SIBS), and Black Student Union (BSU). Our committee works to make Black History Month a memorable experience for undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty at the University of Michigan.

ⓘ What is Black History Month? Black History Month is an annual observance dedicated to honoring and commemorating the achievements, contributions, and rich cultural heritage of Black individuals and communities throughout history. Black History Month started as “Negro History Week,” an idea of distinguished historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has also officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.

Tribute To Martin Luther King Jr. 

January 19, 2026  |  Contact host for time
Rackham Assembly Hall
Sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Epsilon Chapter

Every year we honor MLK's mission, testimony and legacy. This years theme is the dreams and nightmares of living in America and how we can solve the problem. 
 

Black Boys and the Future of Technology

January 29, 2026  |  4:00-5:30 pm
Weiser Hall 10th floor and virtually
Sponsored by the DISCO Network; Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs; Trotter Multicultural Center; Science, Technology, and Public Policy program; Afroamerican and African Studies; School of Information; Film Television and Media; Computer Science and Engineering; American Culture; Science, Technology, and Society; Communication and Media; English Language and Literature; Political Science; and Computing for Arts and Science

Can technology improve the lives of Black boys? Recently, new reports, with familiar conclusions, discuss the way Black boys continue to fall behind, which is partially responsible for shrinking enrollments of Black men in college. Particularly striking are the declining numbers at HBCUs. In turning this conversation away from negative reporting toward positive action, we will explore the ways technology can intervene and provide new opportunities, pathways, and platforms for Black boys to thrive.

The Rise of Police Unions

February 3, 2026  |  12:00-1:00 pm
Weill Hall 1220
Sponsored by the Ford School Center for Racial Justice

How did broad social backlash to Black liberation movements of the 1950s and 1960s grant police unions the power to dictate the policy and culture of municipal policing? Join us for a timely conversation examining the historical roots of police union power and how these dynamics continue to shape debates around accountability, labor, and reform. 
 

Wynton Marsalis in Conversation

February 4, 2026  |  5:30-6:45 pm
Rackham Auditorium
Sponsored by Ford School and UMS

Join Ford School Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes and Wynton Marsalis in a public conversation reflecting on America at 250, the role of music in our culture and society, and the ways that artists help shape our future.
 

Oil is Gold: A Coloring Conversation

February 4, 2026  |  7:30 pm
Trotter Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room 1 
Sponsored by Caribbean Student Association 

Join us for a conversation on the impact that the halt of oil imports currently has on the Caribbean Islands. We will have color sheets and supplies for attendees to color as they listen. Come to learn more and enjoy a relaxing evening!
 

Things We Imagined: Black Futurity and Academic Life (Film Screening + Post-Screening Q&A)

February 5, 2026  |  6:00 pm (doors at 5:30)
School of Education Building (2nd Floor), Prechter Lab
Sponsored by Life-Changing Education, Institute for the Humanities, and National Center for Institutional Diversity

Join us for a screening of Things We Imagined: Black Futurity and Academic Life, an Imagined Futures Experience exploring Black futurity and the lived realities of academic life. Following the film, stay for a post-screening Q&A featuring Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III and Dr. Candace N. Hall, moderated by Dr. Demetri Morgan. 
 

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: Duke in Africa

February 7, 2026  |  7:30 pm
Hill Auditorium
Sponsored by UMS

Step into a world of rhythm and soul as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by the iconic trumpeter and cultural ambassador Wynton Marsalis, brings their unparalleled mastery to Hill Auditorium. Duke Ellington found deep inspiration in Africa, travelling with his orchestra to Dakar, Senegal in 1966 to perform at the first World Festival of Negro Arts. This trip led him to compose several of his most iconic works, including Afro-Bossa, Liberian Suite, and the Grammy Award-winning Togo Brava Suite. Co-music-directed by JLCO saxophonists Chris Lewis and Alexa Tarantino, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis celebrates these compositions and the spirit of Duke’s historic trip, nearly 60 years later.  $15-$20 tickets are available for students(regular prices $20-$100).
 

Labor, Spirit, and Sovereignty: Africa’s Great War

February 12, 2026  |  4:00-5:30 pm
Tisch Hall 1014
Sponsored by Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies and the Department of History

This lecture examines sites of unruliness and insurgency in African histories of the war by analyzing African refusals of European imperial extraction. Using examples, this lecture argues for understanding the war years as a temporal frame for recognizing and naming multimodal African insurgencies against imperial extractivism and violence. This talk by Dr. Michelle Moyd is EIHS's Dr. Stephen and Lee Gork Endowed Lecture.
 

Bridging Intergenerational Social Justice Wisdom panel and mixer

February 12, 2026  |  5:00-7:00 pm
Weiser Hall, 10th floor
Sponsored by The Program on Intergroup Relations

The Bridging Intergenerational Social Justice Wisdom Panel is a great chance for students to learn more about career possibilities within social justice fields. We will have amazing IGR alumnx panelists share their stories and experiences on how social justice has been applicable to them throughout their career paths, and a mix and mingle session for students and alumnx to connect more directly. Registration required.
 

Where the Hood At? Fifty Years of Change in Black Neighborhoods—Book talk with Michael C. Lens

February 12, 2026  |   6:00-7:30 pm
Art & Architecture Building Auditorium, Room 2104
Sponsored by aubman College Urban and Regional Planning Program and co-sponsored by U-M Ford School of Public Policy and U-M Poverty Solutions

Although data reveals significant disparities in quality-of-life indicators between Black and white Americans, research also shows that a person’s neighborhood can profoundly influence their life outcomes. Michael C. Lens, a professor of urban planning and public policy at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs, will discuss Where the Hood At? Fifty Years of Change in Black Neighborhoods, a comprehensive look at the evolution of Black neighborhoods over the past five decades that helps us better understand why some predominantly Black neighborhoods have flourished while others have not. 
 

‘Hello’ to ‘Halo’: Celebrating Black songwriters

February 13, 2026  |  12:00 pm
Burton Memorial Tower
Sponsored by the School of Music, Theatre & Dance

From Lionel Richie’s “Hello” to Beyoncé’s “Halo,” Professor Tiffany Ng and graduate student Austin Zhu will play carillon covers of romantic favorites by Black songwriters and composers on the 53-bell Charles Baird Carillon on the day before Valentine’s Day.
 

Melodies of our Legacy

February 14, 2026  |  8:00-9:00 pm (doors at 7:30)
721 E. Huron Street, Suite 200
Sponsored by Legacy in Color

A night of art and music that celebrates the culture. A tiny desk performed by Umich students; the show will include your favorite songs and spoken word. A mock tiny desk like you have seen on YouTube.
 

Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane: Miles Davis and John Coltrane at 100

February 15, 2026  |  4:00 pm
Hill Auditorium
Sponsored by UMS

The year 1926 saw the birth of two towering figures who reshaped the landscape of modern music: Miles Davis and John Coltrane. In this limited tour, two of today’s most visionary musicians come together to honor their legacies in a concert that is more than just a centennial tribute, but a living, breathing continuation of their spirit. Davis and Coltrane came of age in a segregated America, using their artistry to demand the dignity and "personhood" that Dr. King fought for in the streets. This performance by Ravi Coltrane and Terence Blanchard is a centennial tribute to two architects of social justice.  $15-$20 tickets are available for students(regular prices $20-$100).
 

Soulmates and Soul Food

February 15, 2026  |  7:00 pm
North Quad, 10th floor
Sponsored by North Quad Multicultural Council

Join the North Quad Multicultural Council, DPE, and RAs for a relationships workshop, hosted by SAPAC! Exchange Valentine's Day cards, make friendship bracelets, and enjoy some delicious soul food selections in honor of Black History Month.
 

Zine and Be Seen

February 17, 2026  |  1:00-2:30 pm
SPH I, Cornely Community Room
Sponsored by Public Health Students of African Descent

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Build-A-Bangle

February 18, 2026  |  Contact host for time
Trotter Multicultural Center Multipurpose Rooms 1-2 
Sponsored by Caribbean Student Association 

Decorate bangles with CSA as we celebrate the Black History Theme: Gold in Our Melanin, Greatness in Our Histories. Learn about the importance of gold to the Diaspora while creating fabulous jewelry. Bring your own bangles, or get one from CSA (while supplies last). See you there!
 

The Power of Black Psychology with Dr. Kevin Cokley

February 18, 2026  |  7:30-9:00 pm
Trotter Multicultural Center, Multipurpose Room 3
Sponsored by Black Undergraduate Psychological Association

Join us for an engaging presentation from Dr. Kevin Cokley in the importance of Black Psychology and its roots in history and advocacy. Dr. Cokley will explore the two foundational approaches to Black Psychology, illuminating how Black experiences, identities, and resistance have shaped psychological theory and practice across time. This event honors early Black intellectuals and the enduring legacy of diasporic knowledge and culture. Food will be provided!
 

The Hate U Give movie night

February 19, 2026  |  5:00-8:30 pm 
Ginsberg Center, 1024 Hill Street
Sponsored by Ginsberg Center

The Hate U Give is a coming-of-age teen drama based on Angie Thomas’ novel, following Starr Carter after the police murder of her friend Khalil. As Starr finds her voice, the film explores systemic racism, resilience, and Black identity.  Join us at the Ginsberg Center for a Black History Month movie night focused on reflection, dialogue, and community building.
 

A Place for Politics, Protest, & Performance: Exploring the Hidden Histories of Hill Auditorium

February 19, 2026  |  6:00-7:30 pm
Detroit Observatory, 1398 Ann St, Ann Arbor
Sponsored by Bentley Historical Library

Join us to hear from the Inclusive History Project’s Hill Auditorium Research Team as they share their discoveries, future plans, and the ongoing struggle to make Hill truly an auditorium “For Everyone.” Refreshments will be provided.
 

The Trouble of Color: An American Family Memoir

February 20, 2026  |  10:00-11:30 am
Virtual
Sponsored by William L. Clements Library

Prizewinning scholar and renowned author of Black history Martha S. Jones will join the Bookworm for a conversation on identity, belonging, and family, drawing from her powerful new book, The Trouble with Color: An American Family Memoir. Journeying across centuries, from rural Kentucky and small-town North Carolina to New York City and its suburbs, The Trouble of Color is a lyrical, deeply felt meditation on the most fundamental matters of identity, belonging, and family. Sponsored by Cinda-Sue Davis.
 

Soul Food Sundays: Food for the Soul

February 22, 2026  |  3:00-5:30 pm
Trotter Multicultural Center, Sankofa and Multipurpose Rooms
Sponsored by Trotter Multicultural Center and MESA's Black History Month planning committee

This week, the BHM Committee invites all to gather, not just for a meal, but for meaningful conversation. Alongside our feast, there will be a Community Conversation exploring themes of care and sustainability within the Black community—how we support one another, nurture collective well-being, and honor valuable traditions that have sustained us throughout generations. Whether you’re seeking good food, good company, or thoughtful discussion, Soul Food Sundays welcomes all to celebrate legacy, culture, and the power of coming together.
 

Unity Against Empire: Black & Latine Solidarity Against Empire

February 24, 2026  |  Contact host for time
School of Education, Whitney Room Room 1315
Sponsored by Solidaridad Organizada para la Liberación (SOL)

Join SOL for a Black History Month teach-in on Black and Latine revolutionary unity, examining the Black Panther Party, the Young Lords, and the Rainbow Coalition. We’ll explore how their shared commitment to anti-imperialism, collective liberation, and the Global South offers lessons for our movements today.
 

Black On Wax: Our Healing is Historical 

February 24, 2026  |  7:22 pm
Rackham Auditorium
Sponsored by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. 

Black on Wax is an annual event hosted by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. where an immersive and interactive wax museum is hosted to educate children about prominent black figures in history. This year’s theme: Our Healing is Historical will be honoring Black people both prominent and unsung whose work has been instrumental in advancing Black health and wellness across generations. 
 

Navigating Self and Community Care

February 25, 2026  |  5:30-7:00 pm
1121 S University Ave
Sponsored by IGR and Trotter Multicultural Center

[Registration required] Self care and community care is nested WITHIN what our current reality is. With this event, we want to create space for making new connections, and dialogue about how students are navigating taking care of themselves in this social and political climate.
 

Highlighting Black Voices: Impact as Presence: Authority Without Asking 

February 27, 2026  |  6:00-9:00 pm
Michigan Union, Kuenzel Ballroom
Sponsored by Urban Wordsmith Society

This program uplifts Black leaders, artists, and emerging voices through keynote conversation, spoken word, and community engagement. This year’s event focuses on teaching students how to claim space, tell the truth, and lead with authority without asking for permission. Attendees can expect an evening of inspiration, dialogue, and powerful artistic expression rooted in lived experience and impact.
 

We Refuse: A Conversation on Activism and Resistance

March 11, 2026  |  6:00-8:00 pm
Trotter Multicultural Center, Multipurpose Rooms
Sponsored by Trotter Multicultural Center, Black Student Union, Black Student Psychological Association, African Graduate Students Association, and Caribbean Student Association

Award-winning historian and author Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson will explore moments throughout the history of Black diaspora that have utilized both violent and nonviolent resistance approaches. A panel conversation will follow the book talk featuring community organizer and entrepreneur Carlton R. Collins and Prof. Lauren Hood (Taubman School of Architecture and Urban Planning) to share their own experiences with resistance and building communities that promote thriving.
 

Featured news

Past Black History Months

• 2025
• 2024
• 2023

Have any questions?

Contact event organizers with inquiries about specific events. Other questions? Contact [email protected]