Black History Month FAQs
ASALH is the acronym for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, an organization founded in 1915 by Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, the second African American to earn the doctorate from Harvard University. The organization was founded to address the dearth of information on the accomplishments of Black people and to disseminate information on Black life, history, and culture to the global community. Click here for more information or visit the ASALH webpage at www.ASALH.org.
The 2026 Black History Month Theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”
Click here to see the executive summary of the theme. You may also download a printable copy of the theme or visit www.ASALH.org and click on “annual themes.” All themes from 1928 to the present are shown.
ASALH determines the annual Black history theme which is used nationally and internationally for Black history programs during the year. A team, which includes scholars and students, research and propose themes based on historical, cultural, and social topics significant to the Black experience. The themes are presented to and voted on by the ASALH Executive Council and upon adoption they are shared on the ASALH website with an executive summary.
The month-long celebration is now in its sixth year. Black History Month is composed of programming and a luncheon in Washington, DC.
The Black History Month is a specially planned observance and celebration of the strengths and triumphs of people of African descent. It is built around the annual Black history theme.
ASALH’s Black History Month Festival was created in 2021 in response to the need to continue Black history programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have since continued the festival and 2026 will mark the sixth. The month-long virtual programming opened new vistas way beyond ASALH’s traditional luncheon held in Washington, DC. It has been our pleasure to feature in previous festivals conversations with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., of Harvard University; Mr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of The Smithsonian Institution; Ms. Daphne Maxwell Reid, award winning actress; and several former National Football League players.
Individuals from all walks of life, in brief–everybody! The history of Black people in the diaspora has a message for all people. Black history is American history and world history.
The programs will happen on selected days. Please check the website for specific dates and times of programs. The luncheon will be held on Saturday, February 28th at 12 pm EST at the JW Marriott, Washington, DC.
Information coming soon.
The free 2026 Black History Month programs can be viewed on ASALH TV via YouTube.
Everyone is encouraged to join. Individuals, institutions, and organizations can become members. Please see here for more information. Join Here
Individuals can join ASALH online at www.asalh.org or by calling the office at 202.238.5912. Institutions and organizations should call the office at 202.238.5912.
Black History Month Luncheon FAQs
The Luncheon will be hosted on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
ASALH president, Karsonya Wise Whitehead
Information coming soon.
Information coming soon.
Before the luncheon we will have a featured author signing.
Business attire is advised for the Luncheon.
Black History Month Events FAQs
More information coming soon.
These events will be streamed on our YouTube channel ASALH TV.