UIW Celebrates Black History Month 2026

The month of February is recognized as Black History Month (BHM) across the nation. Throughout the month, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) coordinated several events that celebrated the legacy of the Black community and recognized how the Black community continues to lead our nation into the future.

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, Imam Omar Shakir, resident of Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah of San Antonio, presented "Black Muslims in the U.S. and the Importance of Muslim and Catholic Dialogue" on the Broadway campus. Shakir's presentation explored the significance of U.S.-Islamic history, with an emphasis on the period since the 1930s. Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI), Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, joined the presentation, recognizing the importance of respecting people of various faith systems and holding space for interfaith dialogue.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, actress and poet Jess Mahogany returned to UIW to lead the fourth edition of her A Spoken Words Workshop. Joined by Amber Cunningham, UIW Women's Basketball assistant coach, the duo invited the Incarnate Word community to listen to their original poetry reflecting on the Black experience, struggles, history, influence and more.

"So we (the Black Community) doubled down on our bit, and then we transformed, and then we fought, and then we freed, and then we rose, and then we activated, and then we charged, and then we and then we, and then we…" said Mahogany, as she annunciated her poetry to the audience, emphasizing the beauty and resilience of the Black legacy.

Following Mahogany and Cunningham's presentations, attending students were invited to share their own poetic pieces. Many of their pieces added further depth to the significance of Black History Month.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, Roger Barnes, PhD, UIW professor emeritus in Sociology, delivered his presentation titled "Mississippi Freedom Summer, 1964, and the Murders of Schwerner, Chaney, and Goodman." The presentation provided an insightful look into the 1964 Freedom Summer, a significant historic movement led by young Americans which "aimed to register African American voters in Mississippi and challenge the systemic racism that had disenfranchised Black Americans for generations" (sos.ca.gov).

Barnes' presentation highlighted the undeniable impact their advocacy had, recognized the merciless tragedies that unfolded in light of their bravery and showed how it became a turning point for national support for the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Finally, on Thursday, Feb. 26, the University community joined Joan F. Neal, M.A.P.S., DMin (h.c.) for her presentation "Catholic Social Teaching and the Options for People who are Poor." She spoke about the principles of Catholic Social Teachings and their relevance to responding to "the growing economic disparities and the impact on the life and dignity of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers" (events/uiw.edu).

Whether honoring history or acknowledging the state of the present, Black stories will always remain relevant and essential to the United States, and UIW is happy to celebrate Black History Month.