Celebrate Black History Month With Community Events

Trinity University's Black Student Union (BSU), Trinity Diversity Connection (TDC), Arts & Humanities Collective, and Student Inclusion and Belonging Office (SIB) are excited to celebrate Black History Month 2026 with the campus community. Mark your calendars for this month's lineup of events:

Black History Month Trivia Night
Tuesday, February 10 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Fiesta Room

SIB's Black History Month Trivia Night invites students to come together for an engaging evening of learning, community, and celebration. Participants will test their knowledge through interactive trivia rounds highlighting Black innovators, artists, activists, contemporary leaders, and historic achievements. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams or individuals. Through friendly competition and shared learning, Trivia Night aims to strengthen cultural awareness, build community, and honor the enduring legacy and ongoing contributions of Black history.

To stay connected to the Student Inclusion and Belonging Office, follow them on Instagram @tuinclusion.

Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon
Friday, February 13 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Coates Library 330

Trinity's Arts & Humanities Collective, SIB, African American Studies Program, and Coates Library are proud to host the 2026 Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon. This year marks the 10th annual national Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon, which honors Frederick Douglass, celebrates Black history, and promotes social justice. Participants will join a crowdsourcing transcription project that produces new, more accessible resources for learning about Black history.

Come down to the Collaborative for Teaching & Learning (Coates Library 330) to tune in to the live broadcast of the National Douglass Day celebration on the big screen and join in celebrating Frederick Douglass' adopted birthday with cake and decorations. Students, staff, and faculty are invited to stop by, learn about Black archives, and try their hand at transcribing!

The TU Voter Engagement Task Force will be present to help students with voter registration.

BSU Spirit Week (February 23-27)

Leading up to the Black Essence Fest, BSU will host a spirit week where people can add their outfits/participation via BSU's Instagram stickers. The themes for the spirit week are as follows:

• Monday - Blackout Day (wear all black)
• Tuesday - Rep Your City
• Wednesday - Class Colors
  • Freshman - Green
  • Sophomores - Red
  • Juniors - Yellow
  • Seniors - White
• Thursday - Twin/Twinnem Day
• Friday (Black Essence Fest) - Soul Train/'70s

Black Essence Fest

Friday, February 27 | 1-4 p.m. | Fiesta Room

BSU and TDC will host the 5th annual Black Essence Festival. This year's theme is Soul Train, and BSU and TDC invite those who wish to participate to dress in '70s-inspired clothes or disco attire. Come down to the Fiesta Room to celebrate Black culture while enjoying catered food, music, and even Dance Dance Revolution! This event is open to any and everyone.

BSU's Black Essence Fest is inspired by the annual ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, one of the largest African American culture and music events in the United States.

"I was born and raised in New Orleans, so coming to Trinity and finding a piece of home through this event means a lot to me," says Kennedi Heim '28, BSU's secretary. "BSU recognizes the importance of tradition and culture and hopes this event will incorporate the festival's principles and authenticity into Trinity's campus culture."

To stay connected to BSU, follow them on Facebook @TrinityUBSU, Instagram @Trinitybsu, and TikTok @officialtrinitybsu.