A Century of Black History Commemorations
Columbia, S.C., January 30, 2026, Benedict College proudly announces its Black History Month Commemoration Programs for 2026, a dynamic, multi-part series honoring A Century of Black History Commemorations. Rooted in reflection, resilience, power, and sustainability, the 2026 observance invites students, scholars, artists, and the broader community to engage deeply with African American history, culture, intellect, and celebration.
Guided by the theme’s call to action, Commemorations create reflection; reflection creates resilience; resilience creates power; and power creates sustainability… let us march on, ’til victory is won, the series will feature student-led dialogues, community-centered scholarship, culinary traditions, visual and performing arts, and the nationally recognized Harambee Festival (April 18-19, 2026), now in its 37th year.
“Black History Month is not simply a remembrance of the past, it is a living, breathing call to reflection, resilience, and responsibility. When we commemorate Black history, we affirm the brilliance, creativity, struggle, and triumph that continue to shape our communities and our nation,” noted Dr. George Devlin, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Founder of the Harambee Festival. “These celebrations remind us that our history is powerful, our culture is sustaining, and our collective memory is essential to building a more just and vibrant future. Harambee was founded on this very principle: that when we come together to honor our story, we strengthen our ability to move forward together.”
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2026 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
January 20 – February 27, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Anthony J. and Davida Artis Collection
February 12 Artist Talk and Reception | 6:00 p.m.
Ponder Art Gallery
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.
Part I: African American Commemorations
Swinton Campus Center
Student-led “BC Talks” exploring African American commemorations and cultural observances, including:
- Church Baptisms – Daziyah Johnson, Criminal Justice Administration
- International Children’s and BC Graduations– Shaquan Gentry, Music
- World Mental Health Day – Camron Cromer, Psychology
- World Science Day for Peace and Development – Tydarrious White, Neuroscience
- World Mental Health and Father’s Day – Camron Cromer. Pshchology
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.
Part II: African American Commemorations
Swinton Campus Center
Community leaders lead “BC Talks” on African American traditions and legacies:
- Brown vs Board of Education Anniversary – L. Oveta Glover
- South Carolina National Dance Week –Gail Glover-Ly, Ben Christian Dance Theatre
- International Journalist Day – Senator Tamika Isaac Devine, South Carolina Senate District 19
- World Speech Day- Stephaun Newton, Author
- African American Foodways in South Carolina –
Dr. Ramon Jackson, Curator of African American History, and
Dr. Meeghan Kane, Manager of Community Engagement, South Carolina State Museum
12:00 Noon | Part III: Black History Month Food Tasting Celebration
Swinton Campus Center
Led by the South Carolina State Museum in partnership with Benedict College faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community culinary leaders. The event will feature registered food vendors and caterers. The community is invited to participate in the South Carolina HBCU Cookbook, highlighting soul food, Southern, and international flavors. Final details and recipe submissions will align with Harambee Festival activities.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – Antisdel Chapel
A Salute to the Harambee Festival
A celebration of 37 years of African American history, art, culture, health, and resilience, showcasing one of the nation’s largest HBCU festivals.
5:00–6:45 p.m. – Ponder Fine Arts Gallery
Annual Black History Month Art Exhibit and Presentations
7:00 p.m. – Fine Arts Humanities Center, Little Theater
The Listervelt Middleton Lecture Series
Featuring Mr. Michael Harriot, columnist for TheGrio.com and The Guardian, and political commentator.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.
Fine Arts Humanities Center, Little Theater
A Celebration of Black Intelligentsia Rising
Induction of scholars into the Benedict College Honors Program
Guest Speaker: Mr. DeWayne Nettles, Honors Program Graduate ’08,
Student Services Program Manager, University of South Carolina
HARAMBEE FESTIVAL WEEKEND
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
37th Annual Harambee Festival
Charlie W. Johnson Stadium
Opening Remarks by President Roslyn Clark Artis
Festival highlights include:
- Enhanced Medical Village featuring Pfizer, MUSC Mobile Mammogram Unit, Colgate Palmolive children’s (free) dental screenings
- Outstanding Performances, including:
- 803 Fresh –Boots on the Ground
- Zacardi Cortez, acclaimed gospel artist-1 on 1”, “O, How I Love You, You Don’t Know.
- Harambee Festival Community Choir
- Megan Piphus, nationally recognized ventriloquist and puppeteer
- Benedict College Student Music Showcase
- The Benedict College Marching Band of Distinction -Dr. Brendan Johnson is the Director of Bands and Mr. Ronald Green and Mr. Derrick Rivers are the Assistant Directors
Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 3:00 p.m.
Antisdel Chapel
Harambee Festival Community Choir Concert
Featuring the Benedict College Gospel Choir,
Elder David Bratton, Director of Choirs, and Mr. Quan Marshall, is the Assistant Director of Choirs
Mr. Jason Clayborn, distinguished HBCU Choir Director and Visiting Clinician.
The community is invited to sing.
Benedict College’s Black History Month 2026 programming reaffirms the institution’s enduring commitment to education, cultural preservation, community engagement, and the celebration of African American excellence, past, present, and future.
For updates and additional details, visit www.benedict.edu.
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Benedict College Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 29 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from several counties in South Carolina, states across America, and countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College is the recipient of the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award given by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program in celebration of an HBCU that achieved next-level performance. Benedict was also named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and voted the number one Gold Winner in The States’ BEST College or University in 2025.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.