Black History Month 2026: Stitching Freedom Through History and Higher Education
Guided, Nourishing, Transformative
In 2026, we mark the 100th anniversary of Black History Month by grounding our programming in the wisdom, resilience, and creativity of Black communities. This year’s theme uses quilt symbolism inspired by the Underground Railroad as a teaching and storytelling framework to explore how Black people have historically navigated systems of oppression—and how Black students continue to navigate higher education today.
Historically, quilts functioned as tools of communication, preparation, and care, carrying layered meanings through symbols, patterns, and collective knowledge. In this spirit, each Black History Month event is intentionally aligned with a quilt pattern that represents a lesson in survival, strategy, nourishment, or guidance. Together, these symbols help draw meaningful parallels between ancestral journeys toward freedom and the contemporary journeys Black students navigate within educational institutions.
Learn more about the quilt patterns used throughout Black History Month and the historical
meanings they carry, including how these symbols connect ancestral freedom journeys
to student success and belonging in higher education.
Ongoing & Month-Long Events
- The Right to Vote: Selma to Montgomery – Digital Exhibit
January 20 – March 13, 2026 | During Campus Library Hours | Oceanside Learning Commons (Library), Floor 2
Quilt Symbol(s): North Star, Log Cabin - Care Packages for the Journey: Wagon Wheel & Basket Quilt Blocks
Throughout February | Launch: Week of February 2 | Distribution: Last week of February
Quilt Symbol(s): Wagon Wheel and Basket
Upcoming Events
- Preparing the Path: 100 Years of Black History, Resistance, and Resilience
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | 2:30 - 4:30 PM | Library
Quilt Symbol(s): Monkey Wrench - Making Smart Money Moves: Tips for Saving and Investing
Monday, February 9, 2026 | 5:00 - 6:00 PM | OC 14286 & Zoom
Quilt Symbol(s): Bear Claw, Sailboat, and Carpenter’s Wheel - Overcoming Barriers to Home Ownership
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 2:00-3:30 PM | Zoom
Quilt Symbol(s): Crossroads, Drunkard’s Path - State of the Black Campus: Finding Our Way Home
Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 2:00–3:30 PM | OC 14286
Quilt Symbol(s): Log Cabin, North Star Flying Geese - Porch Talk: Ties & Headwraps in Professional Spaces
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:30pm | OC 14286
Quilt Symbol(s): Bow Tie - Food as Freedom: The Significance of Black Soul Food
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 12pm - 1:30pm | OCN 14290 and 14293
Quilt Symbol(s): Log Cabin, North Star - Sister II Sister: Carrying Ourselves Forward
Friday, February 20, 2006 | 1:30pm - 3pm | OC14286
Quilt Symbol(s): Log Cabin, North Star - Headshots & Hors d’Oeuvres: Professional Headshot Event
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 11am - 1pm - Bldg. 14, 2nd Floor
Quilt Symbol(s): Bow Tie - Black Alliance & Umoja Community Lunch (BYOL)
Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 11am - 1pm - Aztlan
Quilt Symbol(s): Log Cabin, Basket
More events may be added throughout the year, so please check back for updates. Black History Month programming is developed collaboratively by students, faculty, and staff across the campus community. For additional information about this year’s events, requests for accommodations, or to explore ways to integrate Black History Month programming into your class, program, or club, please contact the Black Student Success Specialist at cgoodspeed@miracosta.edu.
