Dr. Karsonya Wise
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History will commemorate 100 years of Black history celebrations next month with a series of events marking the centennial of "Negro History Week," founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926.
The organization announced "A Century of Black History Commemorations" as the national theme for Black History Month 2026, which begins Feb. 1.
ASALH will launch the month-long commemoration with a virtual national convening Feb. 1 from 6-8 p.m. EST, streaming on the organization's YouTube channel. The event will feature ASALH National President Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead, past president Dr. Daryl Michael Scott, Journal of African American History editor Dr. Bertis English and legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw.
"Black History Month belongs to us," Whitehead said. "We do not celebrate because others see us—we celebrate because we see ourselves."
The organization will host its annual Black History Month luncheon Feb. 28 from noon to 3 p.m. EST at the JW Marriott in Washington.
An author's book signing will precede the luncheon from 10 a.m. to noon EST.
