During the month of February, students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in a series of events in observance and celebration of Black History Month. This year’s theme is A Century of Black History Commemorations, Our Local Legacy and Global Future. The theme marks 100 years since the founding of Black History Week and invites reflection on the profound legacy of these celebrations. We explore their enduring impact on community identity, cultural pride and the ongoing pursuit of equality, honoring our local roots while looking ahead to a shared global future.
We also pay special tribute to our friend and colleague, the late Dr. Bennetta Jules-Rosette, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and the founder of the African & African-American Studies Research Center (AAASRC) at UC San Diego. Jules-Rosette, who passed away in December, leaves a powerful and enduring legacy on our campus. Her foundational vision, scholarly excellence and deep commitment to community profoundly shaped this institution. As we gather this month, we remember and honor her contributions to this event and her lasting impact on all of us.
Throughout the month, a rich series of events will be held, highlighted by the 24th Annual Black History Month Scholarship Brunch on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are honored to welcome former U.S. Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook as our keynote speaker for this occasion. As the first woman and first African American to serve as United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, her groundbreaking work as a pastor, author and advocate for human dignity embodies the spirit of leadership, hope and global service we celebrate. To reserve a table or purchase tickets to the brunch, please contact BlackHistoryMonth@ucsd.edu.
For a continuously updated list of events throughout the month, please visit https://blackhistorymonth.ucsd.edu/2026/.
In recognition of this annual event, two hours of administrative leave with pay have been approved for employees to attend a UC San Diego Black History Month event. Supervisors, upon request, may approve the use of such leave when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties or patient care.
Thank you to the members of the UC San Diego Black History Month Planning Committee for coordinating these educational and celebratory campus activities.
