Black History Month 2026
2026 marks 100 years since Dr. Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month. This year’s theme examines how Black history and life commemorations have evolved and transformed the perception of Black people in the modern world. It recognizes that 2026 coincides with challenges emphasizing the continuous need to defend and build upon Black history and achievements. It also ties into the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, linking Black history to fundamental American rights. Other interpretations connect the centennial to themes of heritage, hope, and future horizons. This month, GLIIHC will be honoring and sharing stories, information about Black history, and ways to support beyond February.
This February marks 100 years since Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926, the foundation of today’s Black History Month. For a century, Black healthcare pioneers like Dr. Charles Drew, who revolutionized blood banking, and Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, whose research helped develop COVID-19 vaccines, have transformed medicine while fighting systemic racism. Despite extraordinary contributions—from Rebecca Lee Crumpler becoming the first Black woman physician in 1864 to Dr. Patricia Bath inventing sight-saving cataract technology—Black Americans still face severe health disparities due to systemic inequities. The legacy of medical discrimination and traumas like the Tuskegee Study reminds us that celebrating Black history in healthcare requires both honoring achievements and addressing ongoing injustice. From 1926 to 2026, the journey continues: we celebrate Black excellence while committing to health equity for all communities.