Black History Month celebrates its 100th year as BSU expands campus programming

BSU's table at the Activities Expo on Jan. 26, 2026 at Willamette University. Photo by Sofie Szigeti.

Note: Alexander Berry is a member of the Willamette University Black Student Union.

February 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, and Willamette University is recognizing the milestone with events organized by the Black Student Union (BSU), Office of Student Engagement and Leadership (SEAL) and the Office of Intercultural Engagement & Inclusion. 

BSU president Kayla Davis (’26) and assistant director of SEAL Jodi Santillie each described Black History Month as an opportunity for campus programming that highlights Black history and student experiences. The observances also align with the 30th anniversary of Willamette’s Black Student Union, which was founded in 1996 as the Black Student Organization according to university archives. 

Black History Month began in 1926 as Negro History Week, established by historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). It expanded into a month-long observance in 1976 and continues to be recognized nationally. 

Willamette University’s Black History Month theme is “Black Passion” this year to expand on cultural expression and diasporic identity through food, music, film and educational programming, stated through the Black History Month planning committee. 

Events began Feb. 4 with a screening of Cosmic Africa, hosted by the Physics Club. The documentary follows astronomer Thebe Medupe through the examination of African astronomical traditions and their influence on early scientific knowledge. From Feb. 2-13, the Bistro has been offering commemorative menu items created in collaboration with the BSU, including an iced tea lemonade called Lovely Day and four other specialty drinks. The space also hosted the Feb. 5 Black History Month Kick-Off, which included an open mic poetry night. 

Staff at Goudy Commons are contributing two food-centered programs. Chef Hopeton J. Sharpe led a jerk chicken demonstration on Feb. 10, and on Feb. 17 Goudy will serve a lunch menu featuring traditional dishes connected to Black culinary history. 

Music programming includes a Feb. 12 recital in Rogers Rehearsal Hall featuring works by Pan-African composers, with the Bistro hosting a listening hour featuring music by Black artists later that same day. The next day, Friday, Feb. 13, there will be a Valentine’s Day event in Ford 102 at 4 p.m. 

The month’s keynote event will take place Feb. 17 in Cat Cavern, featuring Dr. Jean-Philippe Gourdine of Lewis & Clark College and hairstylist Juneka Sevier. The program will focus on the cultural and scientific history of Black hair, followed by a hair-braiding workshop. 

Davis expressed that in regards to Black History Month, she hopes people outside of BSU gain new information, reflect and build solidarity with the Black community on campus. She is currently working on archiving BSU’s history, including social media posts, funding requests and event collaborations, to make resources more accessible for future members and to preserve the organization’s legacy.

Santillie, in addition to working with the SEAL office, chairs the committee for Black History Month. Santillie believes students should be encouraged to research their own events outside of Willamette and learn about Black culture. “We’re [SEAL office] creating a list of events happening in the Salem area. Yes, we’re putting on events here, but there’s also groups doing great events off-campus.” 

The Cascade Festival of African Films, hosted annually by Portland Community College, is also taking place in the region from Feb. 6 to March 7. In its 36th year, the festival features more than 20 films by African filmmakers and is free and open to the public. The festival offers additional opportunities for Willamette students interested in Black History Month programming beyond campus. 

When asked what Black History Month means to her, Davis explained, “To me, it’s recognizing that Black History is American History. What we have done for this country and for communities outside of ourselves needs to be recognized because it continues to be a taboo topic.”

This December, the National Park Service removed  MLK Day and Juneteenth from this year’s fee-free national park days, instead offering free fares on Donald Trump’s birthday, which coincides with Flag Day. 

Davis emphasized the importance of supporting the Black community outside of planned celebrations. “We are in an interesting time right now where MLK Day, Juneteenth, and Black History Month are being attacked. I think it’s super important to think that even if changes happen and it’s no longer in your calendar, [it] doesn't mean you cannot celebrate.” 

To uplift the voices of the Black community, Davis recommended a listen to “Black Like Me” by Mickey Guyton. “She’s describing a very real modern day experience of how we have dreams, and maybe some of them we don’t achieve, but we have hope.”