Black History Month, observed each February in the U.S., honors the achievements of Black Americans and their roles in shaping the country. At Indiana University and throughout the city of Bloomington, the month is marked by celebrations and educational events.
The first iteration of Black History Month was a week long and began in 1926. Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History founded the commemorative week.
During the 1960s and the Civil Rights Movement, it evolved into Black History Month on college campuses and educational institutions across the country, according to the ASALH.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford was the first to officially recognize Black History Month, and every U.S. president since has issued proclamations endorsing the month-long celebration.
At IU, Black History Month programming is largely organized by the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. The NMBCC was established following student activism in the late 1960s when Black students demanded greater representation and support on campus.
NMBCC and other Black History Month events throughout February will celebrate Black culture through music, art, athletics and storytelling.
NMBCC Black History Month Kickoff: Legacy Luncheon
1 p.m. Feb. 1 in the NMBCC Grand Hall.
The event will include an address from Valerie Grim with the IU Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies and presentations from other community leaders. Attendees must RSVP here.
For the Love of Black Literacy: African American Read-In
11 a.m. Feb. 6 in the NMBCC Grand Hall
Hosted in collaboration with the IU School of Education and IU Libraries, the event is an opportunity for local high schoolers to read works by their favorite Black authors and hear from current IU students about their college experience.
Black History Month Concert: African American Choral Ensemble
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 11 at the IU School of Education
The African American Choral Ensemble will present African American choral music, drawing from spirituals, folk traditions, gospel and works by Black composers. The ensemble was founded in 1975 and works to preserve the legacy of African American choral music.
Black Faculty and Staff Appreciation
Noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 18 in the NMBCC Grand Hall
The event will recognize the contributions of Black faculty and staff members across IU Bloomington. Faculty and staff can stop by until 2 p.m. to grab lunch and pick up a gift.
IU women’s basketball game vs. Oregon
1-1:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
Members of the NMBCC are encouraged to wear NMBCC or Black pride apparel to the game and sit in section 10. All IU students are admitted for free with a Crimson Card, while faculty and staff may claim two complimentary tickets through One.IU. General admission tickets are also available for purchase.
AfroFutures: Black Women in Cinematic Storytelling
From 7-9 p.m. Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 at IU Cinema
IU Cinema, in collaboration with the NMBCC, the Center for Documentary Research and Practice, The Media School and the Black Film Center and Archive, will showcase a series of films by Black women throughout the month of February.
Beyond campus, the City of Bloomington will host Black History Month events. The city’s 2026 theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” reflects the evolution of Black History Month and marks its 100th anniversary.
The month begins with a kickoff event Feb. 7, at City Hall Council Chambers. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The kickoff will feature a performing arts showcase hosted by Nia I’man Smith, a doctoral candidate in ethnomusicology and host of the radio show “Sonic Blacknuss” on WFHB. Performers include poet Jada Chivers, the IU African American Choral Ensemble, Black, Brown and Beige Theatre Troupe and musicians from Fairview Elementary School and Bloomington Montessori School.
Other city-sponsored events are scheduled to celebrate Black History Month.
Black Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 14 at City Hall
The market highlights Black-owned businesses and artisans while honoring Bloomington’s original Black Market, which was destroyed by a firebomb in 1968.
Black History Month Poster Board Contest and Reception
11:30 a.m. Feb. 21 in City Hall
The event recognizes and showcases artwork by local elementary, middle and high school students. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and awards begin at 1 p.m. The deadline to submit for the contest is Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. Contest participants can submit their entries and learn more about the guidelines online.
Black History Month Gala
6 p.m. Feb. 28 at One World at Woolery Mill
The event includes a 6 p.m. reception and silent auction, followed by a 7 p.m. program honoring recipients of the 2026 Black History Month awards. These include the Living Legend Award and the Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow.
Tickets must be purchased in advance either in-person or online via the Buskirk-Chumley Theater box office or by phone at 812-323-3020. The deadline to purchase tickets is midnight Feb. 25.
More details and a full schedule of city-sponsored events are available on the city’s Black History Month website.
