Black History Month 2026 Events Continue

02/04/2026

SUNY Cortland's celebration of Black History Month (BHM) continues through February with several events aimed at education and action.

The schedule of lectures, workshops and panel presentations includes a meeting of the newly formed Multicultural Alumni Council (MAC) with students, an informational event that ties human wellness to anti-racism efforts and a discussion that weaves in artificial intelligence, race and labor.

BHM campus events will be posted on the Institutional Equity and Inclusion Office webpage. Events are open to the public and free unless otherwise noted.

Still to come are:

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Discussion: Common Read Book Club
7 to 8 p.m.

Memorial Library Fralick Teaching Materials Center (first floor)

Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society, will host a student-led book club discussion on this year's university-wide Common Read text, The Water Dance, by Ta-Nehisi Coates. The novel uses magical realism to tell the story of the Underground Railroad, inviting readers to consider the power of narratives to engage with the challenging history of slavery. Co-sponsors are the Cultural and Intellectual Climate Committee (CICC) and the English Department. Contact Abigail Droge, assistant professor of English, for more information.

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Lecture: "Uplifting Voices: The Profound Impact and Importance of Black Sororities at Predominantly White Institutions"
6 to 7:15 p.m.

Corey Union Exhibition Lounge

Tracy Hudson '89, M '93, a SUNY Cortland assistant professor of physical education, will present a workshop exploring the critical role Black sororities play in supporting identity development, leadership, academic persistence and community care for Black women at Predominantly White Institutions. The talk will consider how Black sororities serve as counter spaces that affirm belonging, cultivate sisterhood and foster resilience within environments that can feel isolating or exclusionary. Contact Hudson for more information.

Thursday, Feb. 12
Workshop: Multicultural Alumni Council Student/Alumni Workshop

7 to 8 p.m.

Corey Union, Room 301

Meet alumni members of the Multicultural Alumni Council (MAC), who will give student leaders the floor to share their goals and challenges. Council members will map out a series of future panels tailored to student needs, covering everything from navigating career pivots to mastering the art of self-advocacy. Alumni will join virtually. Graduates interested in getting involved should complete a form at RedDragonNetwork.org/MACform. Sponsors include Alumni Engagement, Multicultural Life and Diversity Office, the Voice Office and Institutional Equity and Inclusion Office. Contact Rita Torsney-Sullivan, associate director of alumni engagement, for more information.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Student panel: "Who and where are my people and resources? Let's connect!"

Time: TBD

Moffett Center first floor lobby

A student panel facilitated by Cody Harrington, assistant professor in the Childhood/Early Childhood Education Department, will discuss the topic. The panelists will touch on areas of interest surrounding their connection to others as well as barriers to their education and socialization at SUNY Cortland. The presentation aims to help enhance academic achievement and adjustment to college life while introducing participants to individuals and entities on campus that can help support them through anti-racism resources. Contact Harrington for more information.

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Informational session: "Education and Action Toward Racial Equity"

Noon to 2 p.m.

Neubig Hall lobby

Sponsored by Health Promotion, the Multicultural Life and Diversity Office and wellness peer educators, the informational event continues an ongoing Wellness Wednesday series. The session aims to build awareness and education to ultimately unlearn bias and engage in anti-racist action. The team will highlight the 21-day anti-racism challenge and outline steps to begin. Contact Lauren Scagnelli '12, M '14, health and wellness program coordinator in SUNY Cortland's Conley Counseling and Wellness Services, for more information.

Lecture: "Race, Technology and Labor: The Legend of John Henry, the Luddites and Labor in the Age of AI"

Time TBD

Location TBD

John Jones, an assistant professor of childhood/early childhood education, will focus on responses to the new generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology range from giddy, quasi-utopian optimism, to fear and criticism. One aspect of the new technology that has provoked a fair amount of discussion is its effect, both current and projected, on labor and the nature of work. The story of John Henry, seemingly half-legend and half-history, possesses many parallels to issues related to this new technology. Contact Jones for more information.