Black History Month
Dr Scott Giving Closing Speech
Students Enjoying Soul Food Dinner
Black History Month 2026
The Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs and Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS) invite the University community to celebrate Black History Month by participating in a series of virtual and in-person events.
Each February, we acknowledge the history, achievements and contributions of people of African descent through the development and implementation of various programs and events. This year's Black History Month theme is "A Century of Black History Commemorations," marking the 100th anniversary of federal recognition for Black Americans and celebrating Black achievements and history, and exploring how these commemorations have shaped identity, fostered pride, and advanced equality over the past century.
All events are free and open to Northeastern Illinois University students and employees.
Events with an asterisk (*) are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. Events not marked with an asterisk are open only to the Northeastern Illinois University community.
Cocoa and Conversation
Tuesday, Feb. 3
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
CCICS, Room 201
Contact: Akua Cason, a-cason@neiu.edu
Escape the cold and settle into a cozy time of connection. Join us for warm conversation over a cup of hot cocoa or tea.
Sign up
Black History Month Kick-Off: Soul Food Dinner
Tuesday, Feb. 3
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Alumni Hall
Join us as we kick-off Black History Month with music, poetry, live drummers and a healthy serving of soul food. Get a good meal and enjoy the celebration!
Barbershop Talks
Wednesdays, Feb. 4, 11 and 25
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Pedroso Center, Room B 159
Barbershop Talk is a weekly, student-centered program that serves as a safe space for students to meet, discuss, and debate topics pertinent to their lives as young adults. All NEIU students are welcome and food is served at every session.
Black History Month Trivia Night
Thursday, Feb. 5
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Pedroso Center, Room B 159
Test your knowledge of Black historical figures, events and information during our Black History Month Trivia Night. We will eat, play, learn and have fun together.
Black Mental Health Matters
Wednesday, Feb. 18
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Pedroso Center, Room B 159
This event is dedicated to discussing, examining and improving mental health among students, staff and faculty. The conversation will center on students’ perspectives of mental health and concrete ways we all can support one another.
Black Music Monday*
Monday, Feb. 16
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
CCICS, Donn F. Bailey Legacy Hall
Contact: Akua Cason, a-cason@neiu.edu
Enjoy an intimate unplugged performance with the Alec Trio featuring Micah Collier. Unplug. Unwind. Uplift with soulful jazz melodies.
Movie Screening and Discussion: "La Negrada: Blackness, Belonging and Visibility in Mexico"
Thursday, Feb. 17
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Student Union, Room 214
"La Negrada"" is a documentary-based program that centers Afro-Mexican identity, visibility, and resilience. This event invites students to explore how Blackness exists within Mexican and Latin American contexts, challenging stereotypes and expanding understandings of race, culture and history. Through film, dialogue and reflection, participants will examine intersectionality, colorism and the erasure of Afro-Mexican communities, while connecting these themes to broader conversations about identity, representation and belonging at Northeastern and beyond.
Highlights:
- Documentary screening of La Negrada
- Facilitated dialogue on Afro-Mexican identity and intersectionality
- Collaborative discussion led by Pedroso Center, TRIO SSS and Proyecto Pa’Lante
- Student reflection activities connecting film themes to personal and campus experiences
- Emphasis on inclusive Latinidad and racial justice education
Movie Screening and Discussion: Raíces Negras: Afro-Latinx Identity, Resistance and Puerto Rico (a Pedroso, Proyecto Pa’Lante, Project Success and Black Student Success Committee (BSSC) event)*
Thursday, Feb. 19
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Pedroso Center, Room B 159
Using the full documentary "Afro-Latinx Revolution," Raíces Negras is documentary screening and facilitated dialogue event centered on Afro-Latinx identity in Puerto Rico. This event explores intersectionality, colonial history, race and resistance, highlighting how Afro-Puerto Rican communities navigate identity within Latinidad. Through guided discussion and reflection, students will examine how race, culture, language and power intersect in lived experiences. Guest Speaker: Melissa Lewis, Ph.D.
Afro-Diaspora Martial Arts*
Saturday, Feb. 21
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
CCICS, Lower Level Conference Room
Contact: Kamau Rashid, Ph.D., KA-Rashid@neiu.edu
Join us for a community engagement featuring the Afro-Puerto Rican, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Columbian martial arts!
Black Game Night
Tuesday, Feb. 24
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Pedroso Center, Room B 159
Come compete and enjoy fellowship and fun while playing a collection of games that have come to be known as staples in the Black community for generations (Spades, UNO, Dominoes, Black Card Revoked).
Community Conversation: Sherman “Dilla” Thomas*
Tuesday, Feb. 24
6:00 – 8: 30 p.m.
CCICS, Donn F. Bailey Legacy Hall
Contact: Akua Cason, a-cason@neiu.edu
Discover the greatness of Chicago: A community conversation with urban historian 6 Figga Dilla.
3rd Annual Black Professionals Panel*
Thursday, Feb. 26
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Pedroso Center, Room B 159
Please join us for our 3rd Annual Black Professionals Panel where we will have five panelists who will discuss their career and academic journeys as Black professionals and share lessons and insights they have learned over the years.
Chicago Bronzeville Tour
Saturday, Feb.28
11:00 a.m.
Bus will depart from the Main Campus, Building B, in front of the Pedroso Center
Join us for Chicago Mahogany Tours/Sherman “6 Figga Dilla” Thomas’ Bronzeville Tour. We will take a group of students and staff members on the tour and conclude with a free meal at a south side restaurant.
Movie Screening and Fundraiser: "The Wiz"*
Saturday, Feb. 28
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
CCICS, Donn F. Bailey Legacy Hall
Contact: Akua Cason, a-cason@neiu.edu
Please note: This event is for those ages 21+
Ease on down the road to our 3rd Annual fundraiser! Join CCICS and LOTUS Chicago for a screening of will the 1978 classic “The Wiz” with an interactive cosplay experience. Costumes encouraged! Use code NEIU while reserving tickets for a discount.