ADVISORY: Coppin State University to Host Events Marking 100 Years of Black History Commemorations
BALTIMORE – One hundred years ago, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the founders of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) launched what would become a global movement to recognize Black contributions to history. This February, Coppin State University marks that centennial milestone with events exploring how a century of commemorations has transformed the status of Black peoples worldwide.
The 2026 theme, "A Century of Black History Commemorations," traces the evolution from Negro History Week to Black History Month—observances now woven into the fabric of American culture and recognized globally. At a time when legislative efforts and book bans threaten to diminish Black history in schools and public spaces, this centennial offers an opportunity to reaffirm its enduring value and impact.
Black History Month Event Highlights:
The Centennial Shelf: Stories That Shaped Us
February 2026
A curated collection of influential works that have shaped Black history and culture over the past century, available for exploration throughout the month.
I'll Make Me A World
February 3, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual Online
Join Harvard University African and African American Studies Professor Jarvis Givens for a discussion of his new book, a meditation on the origins, evolution, and future of Black History Month. Drawing on archival research and the wisdom of Black educators, Givens recovers the legacy of Carter G. Woodson and others who envisioned Black history as a liberatory force. Dr. Givens will be joined in conversation by Karsonya Wise Whitehead, host of Today with Dr. Kaye. Co-sponsored by Enoch Pratt Free Library.
ASCEND HBCU Tour & Civic Engagement Sessions
February 5, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Tawes Ballroom
The National Action Network brings the Ascend HBCU Tour: Gen Z Rise to Coppin—a nationwide leadership and empowerment initiative designed to prepare and propel the next generation of HBCU student leaders. The tour offers high-impact leadership development workshops, civic engagement training, and faith-inspired dialogue designed specifically for Gen Z students.
Celebration: Uplifting & Honoring the Culture & History of Black Dance
February 11, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills, MD 21117
An evening celebrating the rich legacy and cultural significance of Black dance traditions, honoring the art form's history and its continuing influence on American culture. This dynamic showcase proudly features the Coppin Dance Company, alongside local professional dance companies, student ensembles from Baltimore County Public Schools, and Baltimore-area dance studios.
Coppin Repertory Theatre Presents: The Meeting
February 12, 2026 - March 1, 2026 | The Theatre Lab, Grace Jacobs, Lower Level
Jeff Stetson's award-winning play imagines a secret meeting between Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a Harlem apartment on Valentine's Day 1965—the evening immediately following the fire-bombing of Malcolm X's home. The play explores the ideological differences and common ground between two of the most influential figures in the civil rights movement. Directed by Josh Wilder.
Divine Defiance: Merging Faith with Activism to Address Today's Urgent Social Issues
February 12, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Drawing from her book Prophesying Daughters about 19th-century Black women preachers, Dr. Chanta M. Haywood, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Coppin State University, will discuss how "divine defiance"—using a relationship with a higher power to fuel social justice—can be applied to critique, challenge, and address today's most urgent social issues.
Where the Bass Lives, From Chicago to the Charm City: House Music and Black Baltimore, 1986-2026
February 17, 2026 | 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Virtual Online
Dr. Teisha Dupree-Wilson, Assistant Professor and Coordinator for the History and African American Studies Program at Coppin State University, explores four decades of house music in Black Baltimore. Dr. Dupree-Wilson serves as Chairperson for the African American and Civil Rights Caucus of the Radio Preservation Task Force at the Library of Congress and is a Commissioner for the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Coppin Chopped: The Black Table
February 18, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Talon Center Dining Hall
The Black Table represents a sacred space—a symbol of enduring community and culture where we gather, survive, celebrate, resist, remember, and imagine. Teams will compete in this culinary challenge, preparing dishes that connect to the theme. Hosted by the African American History Committee, Thompson Hospitality, and Business Services.
Unity Day and Marketplace
February 24, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Tawes Building
The Coppin campus community invites you to support local vendors and celebrate the unity of the African American community. The day will begin with the pouring of libations and a drum salute, followed by cultural activities and community engagement throughout the day.
Preserving the Past, Designing the Future: Empowering the Next Generation of Educators through Technology and Invention
February 24, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual Online
A virtual session with Dr. Diallo Sessoms exploring how technology and innovation can empower the next generation of educators while honoring historical foundations.
The Harlem Renaissance
March 6, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | The Mill on North, 2636 W. North Avenue
An immersive experience celebrating the artistic and cultural explosion of the Harlem Renaissance—the intellectual and cultural movement of African American music, dance, art, fashion, literature, theater, politics, and scholarship that shaped the 1920s and 1930s and continues to influence American culture today.
Visit https://www.coppin.edu/blackhistorymonth for a full list of Black History Month celebration events.
Media with questions or interested in covering Coppin State University Black History Month events are encouraged to reach out to Public Relations Specialist, CherRae Dickerson, at 410.951.6548 or cdickerson@coppin.edu.
The 2026 African American History Month Activities are sponsored by the Coppin State University Division of Academic Affairs. Support is also provided by Thompson's Hospitality, Inc., the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and the Alumni Engagement Office.
