Celebrating a Century of Black History - Black Belt Community Foundation - February 2026

BBCF Celebrates 100 Years of Black History!

In 2026, we mark a powerful milestone — 100 years since the first Negro History Week, founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, which grew into what we now celebrate as Black History Month. This centennial is more than an anniversary. It is a reminder that documenting Black history has always been an act of resistance, visibility, and truth-telling. Here in the Alabama Black Belt, that story is deeply personal. For generations, our communities were pushed to the margins of official history, yet they became the epicenter of movements that changed the nation. From Selma to Lowndes County to Macon County and beyond, our region transformed from places where Black voices were silenced into sites of national commemoration, education, and pilgrimage. This year’s theme honors that journey, from invisibility to recognition, from silence to story. Across the Black Belt, we see how history has been preserved, taught, and passed down:
  • In Selma, where the Edmund Pettus Bridge and Bloody Sunday are now recognized worldwide as turning points in the fight for voting rights.
  • In Lowndes County, where grassroots organizing helped give rise to powerful symbols of Black political identity and self-determination.
  • In Macon County, where Tuskegee University and the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen represent excellence, leadership, and global impact.
Black History Month exists because our stories demanded to be counted, recorded, and remembered. This centennial reminds us that commemoration is not just about the past, it is about how history shapes our present and future. We invite you to celebrate 100 years of Black History Month with us across the Alabama Black Belt. Join us for events, programs, and gatherings throughout February as we honor the people, places, and movements that continue to define our communities. Explore our Black History Month events below. Additional events will be added throughout the month — check back often to stay connected.
Upcoming Events: