Montgomery College Kicks Off Celebration of Black History Month 2026: A Century of Black History Commemorations

Montgomery College is commemorating Black History Month 2026 with a monthlong series of programs and reflections recognizing 100 years of Black history observances under the national theme, A Century of Black History Commemorations.

The College’s observance officially kicked off this afternoon with opening remarks from Montgomery College President Dr. Jermaine F. Williams, who reflected on the significance of the centennial milestone and the enduring role of Black history in shaping education, leadership, and community.

"Black History Month reminds us that learning is dynamic. It deepens as we broaden our perspectives, ask better questions, and listen more closely to voices that have too often been marginalized or overlooked," Williams said. "At Montgomery College, this work is deeply connected to who we are and why we exist."

Throughout February, the College’s Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging will host a series of virtual and in-person programs in collaboration with campus and community partners. Events will feature cultural experiences, film screenings, dialogue, and opportunities for reflection designed to honor the past while engaging the present.

The centennial observance traces its origins to 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History—now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History—established Negro History Week. What began as a national educational movement focused on research, preservation, and recognition later evolved into Black History Month, formally recognized at the national level in 1976.

Featured Black History Month Events

• Cooking with Chef Jerome Grant

February 10 | 1–3 p.m. | Hybrid

A culinary experience exploring African American heritage through food, storytelling, and culture.

https://montgomerycollege.zoom.us/meeting/register/aNkJzehdS3Khe3bg0ziAwQ

• The Divine Nine: Leadership in Motion

February 12 | 1–2 p.m. | Virtual

A panel discussion examining the historic and contemporary impact of Black Greek-letter organizations on leadership, education, and civil rights.

https://montgomerycollege.zoom.us/meeting/register/keCXbq2HSmaVl9vzbIkEyA

• Film Screening: Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round

February 19 | 5–8 p.m. | In person

A screening of the documentary Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round, followed by a discussion with director Ilana Trachtman and civil rights protestor Tina Clarke. The film explores the 1960 partnership between Howard University students and Jewish community members advocating for the desegregation of Glen Echo Amusement Park.

https://jcouncil.org/events/film-screen-discussion-aint-no-back-merry-go-round

• Our Words, Our Worlds: Honoring Black Women’s Voices

February 25 | 12:30–1:45 p.m. | Germantown Campus

An artistic and literary program celebrating the contributions of Black women through storytelling and historical reflection. (Room TBD)

Learning Resources Available Year-Round

Participants are also encouraged to explore curated resources through Montgomery College Libraries and national institutions, including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, to deepen understanding of Black history beyond February.

Faculty, staff, students, and community members are encouraged to view the attached Black History Month 2026 newsletter, register for events, and add programs to their calendars.

As the College commemorates a century of Black history observances, Montgomery College invites the community to reflect, learn, and celebrate together.