Cal State LA celebrates 100 years of Black History Month

February 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Black History Month's formal recognition in the United States, and Cal State LA is commemorating the milestone with a month of events celebrating the history, impact, and ongoing contributions of the African diaspora.

Throughout this month, students, faculty, staff, and community members are participating in discussions, community gatherings, and cultural programs highlighting Black intellectual traditions, civic leadership, and cultural influence. Events include a community-building gathering and library exhibit, a Black-owned business flea market, a film screening, a book lecture, and an alumni network mixer.

A centerpiece of the centennial observance is an upcoming virtual lecture presented by the Department of Pan-African Studies at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, via Zoom. The presentation, "From the Journal of Negro History to the Journal of Black Studies: Genealogies of Black Knowledge Production in Pan-African Studies," will be delivered by Christel Temple, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Black Studies.

In the lecture, Temple will connect contemporary scholarship to the legacy of Carter G. Woodson, often called the "Father of Black History." In 1916, Woodson founded the Journal of Negro History to provide a scholarly forum for research on Black history. The publication, now known as The Journal of African American History, remains a leading journal in the field. In 1926, Woodson established Negro History Week, which later evolved into Black History Month.

This lecture is sponsored by the university's Department of Pan-African Studies in the College of Ethnic Studies, the Black Student Union, and the Nigerian Student Association.

The Department of Pan-African Studies, founded in 1969, is the second-oldest Black Studies department in the nation. The department emerged from student advocacy during the social and political movements of the late 1960s. In 1967, the Cal State LA Black Student Union led efforts to establish a Black Studies program while advocating for greater representation of Black students and faculty. Each year, the Cross Cultural Centers at Cal State LA host a Black Grad Celebration to recognize the accomplishments of Black graduating students.

For a full list of Black History Month events, visit the February events listing on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging website.

California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 260,000 distinguished alumni.