Juliana Stratton, Illinois, Senate, lieutenant governor — Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Illinois National Guard; Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton; and Brig. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough, Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Illinois National Guard, pose for a photograph at the conclusion of the Military Economic Development Committee quarterly meeting at Camp Lincoln Nov. 7. Military and community leaders came together to discuss support for military families facing a range of issues from childcare to quality of life. (U.S. Army photo by Officer Candidate Trenton Fouche, Joint Force Headquarters - Illinois National Guard)

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 20, 2026

Juliana Stratton’s U.S Senate Campaign Says Silent Thoughts Out Loud: ‘F*** Trump!’

With the support of the governor, Stratton is attempting to set herself up as a front runner against main rivals, U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly ahead of the March 17 primary to fill the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin who is retiring.

Illinois’ Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said what’s on the minds of many people out loud in a new campaign video for U.S. Senate: “F*** Trump.”

Her bold campaign video hosts several supporters encouraging voters to say “F**** Trump” and “Vote Juliana.” The Southside Chicago native comes out swinging, letting voters know she isn’t scared to take on a “wanna be dictator” and that she is running for Senate to stand up to President Donald Trump.

“I will abolish ICE and hold Trump accountable for the crimes he’s committed,” Stratton said.

“Just like they said, ‘f*** Trump.”

They said it. We’re all thinking it. pic.twitter.com/AOARPLHGCB
— Juliana Stratton (@JulianaStratton) February 19, 2026

The end of her video features an appearance by Governor JB Pritzker, an outspoken Trump critic who endorses her, and former Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth.

With the support of the governor, Stratton is attempting to set herself up as a frontrunner against her main rivals, U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, ahead of the March 17 primary to fill the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who is retiring. During the Feb. 19 debate, she made it clear where she stands on hot-topic issues like ICE and affordable healthcare, calling them rights, not privileges, and supporting Medicare for All.

“When we talk about affordability being a big issue right now for Americans and certainly Illinoisans, one of the big reasons why is healthcare and how expensive it is,” she said.

“I can tell you, we need to be clear. A GoFundMe account is not a healthcare plan, and we’re seeing millions of Americans being stripped of their healthcare. The premiums have gone up under the ACA exchange, and we need to do more. I believe that healthcare is a right and not a privilege.”

A GoFundMe is not a healthcare plan. Healthcare is a right, and not a privilege, which is why I support Medicare for All. pic.twitter.com/q5gmWaMCTu
— Juliana Stratton (@JulianaStratton) February 20, 2026

As one could imagine, her expletive-filled video caught the attention of many, raising concerns about its effectiveness. But during the debate, she stood firmly behind the ad, saying, “It captures exactly what people are feeling right now.” “They feel like, look at Washington. People aren’t happy with what’s happening in Congress. They’re wondering why nothing is changing in their lives,” she said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

“Everything is getting more expensive, and here they are wondering, ‘When are we going to stand up and not let this president just get away with what he’s doing?’”

Despite the backlash, Stratton has already received endorsements from some of Washington’s heavy hitters, like New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. But by speaking directly to voters, she urges those who are fed up with the Trump Administration to vote for her.

“To voters all across Illinois, if you’re happy with what’s happening in Washington, if you’re happy with what’s happening in Congress – maybe I’m not the candidate for you,” she wrote on X.

“But if you’re ready for a new leader who will bring bold ideas and courage to the Senate, then I’m asking for your vote.”

Department of Housing Urban Development — Photo: Kjetil ReeArchitect: Marcel Breuer, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Mitti Hicks

February 20, 2026

HUD Announces Plans To End Housing Assistance For Families With Mixed Immigration Status

A recent HUD and U.S. Department of Homeland Security audit identified nearly 200,000 tenants nationwide with either incomplete or unknown eligibility verification.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced plans to end housing assistance for mixed-immigration-status families. Under its current regulations, mixed-status families are eligible to receive federal housing assistance on a reduced basis. As Politico reported, the agency calculates benefits based on the percentage of eligible family members.

HUD’s proposed rule would limit the decreased assistance to a temporary 30-day period. The agency said this is meant to provide a buffer for family members whose eligibility is pending verification.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the days of illegal aliens, ineligibles, and fraudsters gaming the system and riding the coattails of American taxpayers are over,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a statement. “HUD’s proposed rule will guarantee that all residents in HUD-funded housing are eligible tenants. We have zero tolerance for pushing aside hardworking U.S. citizens while enabling others to exploit decades-old loopholes.”

Closing A Housing Loophole

HUD said the proposed rule will close the loopholes and prohibit non-citizens from “benefiting” from taxpayer-funded housing. A recent HUD and Department of Homeland Security audit identified nearly 200,000 tenants nationwide with either incomplete or unknown eligibility verification. The federal housing agency estimates that approximately 24,000 undocumented immigrants benefit from HUD assistance.

HUD’s proposed rule change is concerning for housing advocates. Leaders from the Nonprofit National Housing Law Project (NHLP) said it would lead to the eviction of tens of thousands of families.

“The result would be over 100,000 people evicted, including more than 37,000 children, many of them citizens,” NHLP Executive Director Shamus Roller told Multifamily Drive. “HUD also seeks to enlist housing authorities and owners into immigration enforcement and away from its core mission — providing affordable housing in the midst of a national housing crisis.”

An analysis by the nonprofit Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that approximately 80,000 people would face eviction under HUD’s proposed rule, nearly half of them U.S. citizen children, according to Multifamily Drive.

UBER, airports, air taxis, Joby, Blade — (Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 20, 2026

Uber To Offer Air Taxi Services In Select Markets

Through a partnership with Joby, Uber will offer Blade flights through its app

If you’re sick of being stuck in traffic or need a faster way to get to your destination, Uber has something for you! The ride-sharing company will offer electric air taxis in select cities through a partnership with Joby.

Joby initially announced its partnership with Uber in September 2025, promising that Blade flights (helicopters and seaplanes) would be available through the app in 2026. Through this program, Joby is introducing a quiet, zero-emissions air taxi in key markets. This news comes after the company acquired Blade’s passenger business in August 2025.

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“We’re excited to introduce Uber customers to the magic of seamless urban air travel,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, in a written statement. “Integrating Blade into the Uber app is the natural next step in our global partnership with Uber and will lay the foundation for the introduction of our quiet, zero-emissions aircraft in the years ahead. Together with Uber’s global platform and Blade’s proven network, we’re setting the stage for a new era of air travel worldwide.”

In 2024, Blade flew more than 50,000 passengers across various routes in the New York metropolitan area and Southern Europe. Many passengers used Blade in high-traffic destinations such as Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Manhattan, and the Hamptons.

“Since Uber’s earliest days, we’ve believed in the power of advanced air mobility to deliver safe, quiet, and sustainable transportation to cities around the world, said Andrew Macdonald, president and COO of Uber.

“By harnessing the scale of the Uber platform and partnering with Joby, the industry leader in advanced air mobility, we’re excited to bring our customers the next generation of travel.”

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A post shared by Wealth (@wealth)

The two companies have been working together since 2019. In 2021, Joby acquired Uber’s Elevate division. That helped establish the urban air mobility sector and develop the tools necessary for market selection, demand simulation, and multi-modal operations.

No date has been given for the launch of the air taxi service, but Joby’s electric air taxi can carry four passengers and a pilot, reach up to 200 mph, and has an acoustic impact 100 times lower than that of a traditional helicopter. Passengers will be able to book the air taxi service directly in the Uber app.

battlefield states, governor, Wes Moore,Commencement Tour — Maryland State Government, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 20, 2026

Wes Moore Bans Maryland Police From Cooperating With ICE. But Will They Follow?

Under the law, nine sheriff’s offices in the state of Maryland will be forced to cut ICE agreements, helping agents take people accused of being in the country illegally into custody, immediately.

The nation’s sole Black governor, Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland, is standing against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, signing a law that bans local law enforcement agencies from facilitating federal immigration arrests.

But will they adhere to the law?

The Washington Post reported that under the Feb. 17 signed legislation, nine sheriff’s offices in the state of Maryland will be forced to cut ICE agreements, helping agents take people accused of being in the country illegally into custody immediately, including the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, which holds one of the country’s longest-running 287(g) agreements. Moore cited the reason behind the decision as ICE being an “unaccountable agency with seemingly unlimited resources.”

“We make a very clear statement to our community that we believe in your safety,” the governor said prior to signing.

“We believe in making sure that you are going to be safe from violent offenders, and also we believe in making sure that you are safe from unaccountable agents as well.”

According to reporting, 287(g) agreements allow correctional officers to be trained to screen individuals entering a correctional facility for citizenship or immigration status, to notify DHS of individuals suspected of being in the country illegally, and to execute detainers and administrative warrants issued by DHS.

The legislation is in crowded company, as leaders in Virginia, Washington, Illinois, California, Oregon, New Jersey, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Mexico have signed similar laws, but not everyone agrees with it.

Former Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan claimed it won’t work because law enforcement will “ignore” it, calling it an “overreach and overstep.”

“Yesterday, in my state, they just passed a bill. Gov. Moore signed an emergency bill to prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE.

And, you know, all the local law enforcement officers are saying, ‘We’re going to ignore that because we’re required to work with them,’” he said, according to The Hill.

“So I get the whole, you know, overreach and overstep and doing the wrong things, but, you know, when they have violent criminals that they’re holding in jail that ICE wants to be detained, they, you know, they shouldn’t be let back on the street. So there are two sides to this argument.”

Some sheriff’s offices seem to be siding with Hogan, with Wicomico County Sheriff Michael Lewis labeling the law as a betrayal.

“It is the biggest betrayal to law enforcement and public safety that I have ever seen,” Lewis said.

He continued to touch on the ongoing efforts of immigration advocates and leaders of ‘Abolish ICE,’ who are doing nothing.

“And whether you believe it or not, the abolishment of the 287(g) program is not the abolishment of ICE. They’re going nowhere. In fact, they’re going to intensify their efforts in Sanctuary states,” he continued.

“Mark my words. You will see a dramatic increase in the presence of ICE in this state.”

However, they seem to have things twisted. Moore, who has been outspoken against ICE and the Trump administration since Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego García was detained and mistakenly deported to El Salvador in 2025, did not say the state will stop working with ICE, but the law will put boundaries in place. “This bill draws a clear line: we will continue to work with federal partners to hold violent offenders accountable, but we refuse to blur the lines between state and federal authority in ways that undermine the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” Moore said.

“Maryland is a community of immigrants, and that’s one of our greatest strengths because this country is incomplete without each and every one of us.”

Colleges Sever Ties With Organizations That Help People Of Color Amid Pressure From White House — Photo by Safari Consoler: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-happy-woman-holding-her-diploma-11157981/

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 20, 2026

Colleges Sever Ties With Organizations That Help People Of Color Amid Pressure From White House

Under pressure from the Trump administration, over 100 colleges and universities have cut ties with organizations supporting people of color.

Over 100 colleges and universities nationwide have severed partnerships with groups serving communities of color amid pressure from the Trump administration.

A new investigation by The Washington Post found that objections from the current administration to programs supporting scholars of color have led colleges to cut ties with several diversity-focused groups. Since last year, more than 100 schools have ended partnerships with the PhD Project, an initiative launched in 1994 to help diversify the pipeline of future business school professors.

The wave of canceled partnerships follows investigations launched last March by the U.S. Department of Education into 45 universities tied to the group. On Feb. 19, officials said 31 schools had reached agreements to resolve the probes, pledging to review any affiliations with organizations that limit participation based on race and either end those partnerships or justify keeping them.

“It’s terrible,” said Wil Del Pilar, senior vice president at The Education Trust, an advocacy group focused on equity in education. He added that programs like the PhD Project help open doors to academia and foster a sense of belonging for students from historically underrepresented communities.

“There is no evidence that students from other racial or ethnic backgrounds lose access or opportunity,” he added.

Among the partnerships being cut, the California State University system told federal officials that one campus plans to end its affiliation with The Links, Incorporated, a historic service organization of Black women. Clemson University said it dropped its relationship with Field Inclusive, which supports scientists from marginalized communities, citing race-based membership discounts, and the University of Kentucky reported flagging roughly 1,200 memberships and partnerships for cancellation or further review.

The PhD Project said it has opened its conference to students of all racial backgrounds interested in pursuing business doctorates. However, it remains unclear how many additional partnerships could be affected by the federal agreements. Some universities say talks with the U.S. Department of Education are ongoing as they continue reviewing affiliations.

Jason Thatcher, now an information systems professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, said the PhD Project provided vital support when he was a doctoral student at Florida State University, helping him navigate the isolation he felt while completing his dissertation.

“I hope that the PhD Project and other organizations like it will be afforded the opportunity to support other people like me,” he said. “My hope is that universities and The PhD Project will find new ways to partner and support students.”

Trump, Kamala, Debate — (Photos from left: Gage Skidmore/flickr; The White House/Flickr)

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 20, 2026

Lindsey Granger Reminds Co-Host Anything Is Possible In Politics Amid Kamala Harris Rematch Narrative

Granger gave Black woman to Black woman support by highlighting that sometimes it's just not the right time for a certain candidate.

Lindsey Granger, co-host of The Hill’s Rising, had to school her co-host that nothing is off the table in politics as a new poll reveals Kamala Harris would demolish President Donald Trump in a 2024 election rematch.

The poll results from the NBC News SurveyMonkey were revealed by CNN News Central host John Berman, who said that if the 2024 election were held today, the former Vice President would defeat Trump by a landslide.

“Look at where we are now, according to an NBC News SurveyMonkey poll: She wins it by—get this—eight points,” Berman said, according to The Daily Beast.

“A massive shift from what we saw in November of 2024 when Donald Trump won by a point.”

Reporting beside him, journalist Harry Enten added some hard truth: “Trump voters are not sticking by the Republicans as much as the Harris voters are sticking by the Democrats.”

Granger seemingly supported that narrative. In a healthy back-and-forth exchange, the journalist debated co-host Robby Soave’s view that “Kamala Harris’ time has come and it has gone” and that “voters want a fresh face.”

She stepped up to remind him of a few things. “Well Trump didn’t win in 2020 and came back with a vengeance because people thought ‘well his old economy worked better than Biden’s current economy’ so we’re going to bring the old guy back. So you understand how this works. It’s not like frustration is not the same thing as enthusiasm,” Granger said.

“So if you’re frustrated at one, guess who wins? The other party.”

She continued to show Black woman-to-Black woman support by highlighting that sometimes it’s just not the right time for a certain candidate, reminding viewers that former President Joe Biden lost the Democratic nomination twice in 1998 and 2008.

Granger’s sentiments are supported by Trump “setting new records” of disappointing approval ratings. According to Newsweek, 42.4% of registered voters approve of how Trump has been handling the presidency, while 54.6% disapprove.

When he stepped into the Oval Office back in January 2025, his approval rating was over 55%, and his disapproval rating was 37%.

Justice Department, medical school investigation, civil rights act — Photo by DNY59/Getty Images

by Kandiss Edwards

February 20, 2026

Another Fake Nursing License Revoked As ‘Operation Nightingale’ Continues

Nearly 100 nurses in Connecticut have lost their licenses since the beginning of Operation Nightingale.

Connecticut’s Board of Examiners for Nursing has revoked the nursing license of another nurse linked to a national fake degree scheme that has incited a full-blown federal investigation called “Operation Nightingale.”

According to the state Department of Public Health, Abiola Fagbemigun submitted fraudulent transcripts and a degree from Azure College in Florida when applying for a Connecticut license.

On Feb. 4, Fagbemigun’s license was formally revoked after investigators established that the nursing program he claimed to have completed did not exist, CT Insider reported. During an earlier October hearing, DPH officials said he alleged he attended a “bridge licensed practical nurse to registered nurse program” that was not real.

The Connecticut nursing board’s action is only the tip of the iceberg in Operation Nightingale, the massive federal investigation into fake nursing licenses. The operation has identified a large network of for-profit nursing schools in Florida that authorities allege issued fraudulent degrees and transcripts.

In June 2025, the Washington State Board of Nursing issued a list of fraudulent programs to alert potential employers.

Federal authorities have said that more than 7,000 people nationwide may have been involved in the scam that enabled recipients to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) without completing the required clinical or classroom hours. In Florida, half of the nursing curriculum must be devoted to hands-on training.

https://twitter.com/RedPillRabbit/status/2014775170616197580

Azure College’s director of admissions, Jose Napoleon, admitted in 2025 before Federal Bureau of Investigation agents that the school had issued fake degrees and transcripts from 2017 to 2025. As part of his cooperation, Napoleon provided a list of recipients, including Fagbemigun.

During Phase II of Operation Nightingale, other faculty and staff of the for-pay scam schools were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Along with Napoleon, Carleen Noreus, Herline Lochard, Patrick Buchanan, Gilbert Hyppolite, Irene Matthews, Lemuel Pierre, Joel Lubin, Victor Escalante Zerpa, Cleophat Tanis, Lonnette Blair, and Stephanie Dorisca were all charged, according to the Department of Justice.

Since the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Board of Examiners for Nursing were notified of Operation Nightingale in late 2022, nearly 100 nurses in Connecticut have either surrendered their licenses voluntarily or had them revoked.

judge, Atlanta, guilty — (Photo: solidcolours/Getty Images)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 20, 2026

Preschool Teacher Convicted in Stepdaughter’s Death Seeks Leniency, Claims Child Was ‘Better Off Dead’

The South African preschool teacher convicted of raping and drowning her 4-year-old stepdaughter is asking for leniency in her sentencing. Amber-Lee Hughes, 26, testified Feb. 18 during sentencing proceedings at the High Court’s Gauteng Division in Johannesburg, telling the court she believed the child, Nada-Jane Challita, was “better off dead” as she asked for leniency ahead of her sentencing, The Citizen reported.

“I thought that it would have been better if Nada were dead than to just be with her father,” Hughes said.

Hughes told the court the killing stemmed from an emotional breakdown after learning the child’s father had been unfaithful, testifying that she planned to end both her own life and the child’s because she believed the girl was better off dead than remaining in his care.

“On that day, it felt like everything that had happened throughout our relationship had built up, and I snapped,” she said.

Hughes was convicted in August 2025 of the premeditated murder and rape of her stepdaughter, Nada-Jane Challita. Prosecutors said the 4-year-old was killed on Jan. 23, 2023, while in Hughes’ care, after she drowned the child by sitting on top of her in a bathtub.

While acknowledging she understood her actions, Amber-Lee Hughes told the court she struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder and described a long history of mental health challenges dating back to childhood therapy. She said she made several suicide attempts after the crime and had previously attempted to take her own life multiple times as a teenager, including once by drowning.

In court, Hughes denied the rape charge, saying she did not know how the child sustained vaginal injuries. However, a pathologist previously testified that the girl had a “fresh wound” likely caused by the insertion of a small object shortly before her death.

Judges rejected Hughes’ denial, noting she admitted being alone with the child in the hours leading up to the drowning. The proceedings are set to continue with the state’s cross-examination, though Hughes did express remorse during her testimony.

“I regret what happened that day. I think about it nearly every day while I’ve been incarcerated,” Hughes said. “At the time, I thought it was her best option.”

Jaylen Brown BIG3 — BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 29: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on before game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat at TD Garden on May 29, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 20, 2026

Beverly Hills Apologizes To Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown For Shutting Down His Private Event, He’s Considering Legal Action

'I would like to apologize to Jaylen Brown and the Jannard family' said City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey.

Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown hosted an event for his athletic-wear company, 741Performance, during the NBA All-Star Weekend in Beverly Hills, which the Beverly Hills Police Department shut down.

On Feb. 20, less than a week after the action, the city of Beverly Hills publicly apologized to Brown, citing that the reason given for shutting down his event was “inaccurate.”

According to ESPN, officials from Beverly Hills told the Boston Globe that the city had rejected a permit for Brown’s event because of previous violations at the home of Oakley founder Jim Jannard, where the event was taking place.

Jannard and Brown have a partnership, which is why the event was taking place at his home. Brown stated that the city’s reason was “completely false” and felt his event was targeted.

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A post shared by Jaylen Brown Clips (@jaylenbrownclips)

The city’s Instagram account stated that the previously issued statement “contained inaccurate information.” They admitted that no permit application was submitted or denied, adding that Jannard’s residence has no violations, despite the reasoning they gave earlier in the week. Instead, they gave a different reason for shutting it down.

“The City’s previous statement about the weekend event at the Trousdale home was inaccurate, and on behalf of the City, I would like to apologize to Jaylen Brown and the Jannard family,” said City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey. “The City has a responsibility to its residents and neighborhoods to ensure adherence to established regulations for events held at private residences. These are designed to support the safety and welfare of neighbors and attendees. City staff observed circumstances that are believed to be City code violations, and for that reason alone, the event was ended.”

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However, the NBA All-Star player responded to the city’s statement, stating that there was no mention of any violations, nor did police officers enter the residence.

“This was a private, invitation-only gathering at a private home among friends and partners, not a public or commercial event requiring a permit. Music was voluntarily turned off at 6:00 p.m., well before the 10:00 p.m. noise ordinance. In advance of the event, our team proactively contacted the Beverly Hills Police Department, requesting to hire an off-duty officer for support, and that request was declined.

“No proof of any alleged violation was ever produced to the homeowner, our team, or legal counsel.”

My response to @BeverlyHillsPD pic.twitter.com/cFmIMRJuTu
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) February 20, 2026

Brown says he is considering legal action.

He spoke to Andscape and said he was not only embarrassed by what took place, but also angry that police officers shut down the event without speaking to him or Jannard about the justification for doing so.

“I’m not a legality type of pursuing guy, but you embarrassed my brand and my team. And I think that is unfair,” Brown told Andscape. “And for you to continue to tell untruths in your apology statement, I feel offended by it. I will circle back with my team this weekend, and we will make a decision.”

Utah Givernor, Black History Month, — (Photo: Z. Smith Reynolds Library; Inset: public domain)

by Ahsan Washington

February 20, 2026

Celebrate 100 Years Of Black History Month With These Events: Week 3

Black History Month is a nationwide movement

Black History Month is a nationwide movement to both celebrate and learn about the Black culture and achievements of African Americans and Black people across the diaspora.

To continue the month-long immersion into Black history and the evolution of Black culture, check out BLACK ENTERPRISE’s four-week series on things to do to celebrate 100 years of Black history and culture across America.

Week three of Black History Month typically shifts from the initial excitement and momentum to a more profound and exploratory phase. Events during this period blend historical narratives, cultural celebrations, and community knowledge sharing, enabling participants to transcend mere remembrance and delve into understanding the enduring legacies and ongoing contributions of Black communities.

“We Shall Overcome: African American Stories from Civil War to Civil Rights” tour – Atlanta, Georgia

The Oakland Cemetery examines the experiences of everyday and exceptional African Americans who were buried at Oakland Cemetery between the time of emancipation and the Civil Rights Movement. Through the historical progression of the song “We Shall Overcome,” the tour highlights resistance and resilience through different generations of Black Atlantans during Black History Month.

Swing Dance & The Minty Fresh Circus Performance – Fairfield, Connecticut

The performance ensemble Minty Fresh Circus will present a captivating circus and dance show on Feb. 22, at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The show will feature African Diaspora movement traditions, including Lindy Hop and hip-hop, and will honor Black music along its movement culture.

Black History Film Festival – Washington, D.C.

The Black History Film Festival (BHFF) takes place every year in Washington, D.C. The festival includes educational panels such as “So You Wanna Film in DC” which helps local creatives understand filmmaking careers while providing them access to cinematic works that examine freedom movements and historical figures alongside contemporary cultural identity.

The event receives support from multiple local arts organizations, as well as the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. From more than 170 submissions, the festival selects 15 films to present a diverse collection of short, feature, and documentary films, along with panel discussions, cultural performances, and musical presentations. The festival goes down at the Lincoln Theatre, a historic venue on “Black Broadway” that has served as a central hub for African American cultural activities for the past 100 years. Check it out on Feb. 20, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

126th Anniversary of Lift Every Voice and Sing: Heritage Tour – Jacksonville, Florida

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and Friends of the Brentwood Library are hosting a heritage tour in Jacksonville, Florida to commemorate the 126th anniversary of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black National Anthem.

The guided storytelling tour through Nassau, Duval, and St. Johns counties will combine historical interpretation with community reflection to explore African American history in the region. The tour will educate attendees about the historical significance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” while exploring Black heritage in Northeast Florida. The tour begins at Gateway Town Center at 500 Norwood Avenue in Jacksonville on Feb. 21, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, and will act as the main Black History Month event for Week 3.

The tour aims to connect the song’s powerful cultural meaning to specific local Black historical sites.

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra + Documentary “Our Blues Make Us Gold” – Washington, D.C.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. will host the Smithsonian Black History Month Performance Series, which features free and affordable educational programs and performances. The programs feature a documentary screening called “Our Blues Make Us Gold” along with heritage celebrations that recognize Black musical heritage and cultural traditions. The event takes place Feb. 21, along with additional performances during that weekend.

Harlem Fine Arts Show – New York, New York

The Harlem Fine Arts Show takes place every year in New York City’s Harlem district to exhibit modern and traditional Black artworks from artists nationwide. The exhibition and marketplace, organized by Harlem Fine Arts Show and Black visual artists, create economic exposure and collector access for Black artists. The exhibition takes place Feb. 20-22 to coincide with Black History Month and demonstrates New York City’s position as a worldwide Black cultural capital. The event offers general admission tickets while VIP preview options provide an exclusive experience for interested attendees.

Soul City Blues Festival Memphis

The Soul City Blues Festival takes place in Memphis, Tennessee, during mid-to-late February to honor the city’s contributions to Blues and Soul musical traditions. The festival presents Memphis-based music promoters alongside blues performers who demonstrate the city’s musical heritage and its impact on Black American cultural production, which started at Beale Street and reached global audiences. The city’s musical legacy is celebrated through this ticketed concert.

Black Joy Parade Oakland

The Black Joy Parade organizes an event with Bay Area community leaders, which takes place in Downtown Oakland, California, on Feb. 22 at 12:30 p.m. The festival and parade honor Black excellence together with creative achievements and entrepreneurial success. The event includes a free public parade, a marketplace, and multiple performances. The city of Oakland serves as a major center for Black activism both politically and culturally, so this event uses joy to reshape historical narratives.

Edna Lewis Sunday Supper Bread & Butterfly Atlanta, Georgia

Bread & Butterfly restaurant in Inman Park, Atlanta, hosts Edna Lewis Sunday Supper to celebrate the legacy of Southern cook Edna Lewis. The multi-course, family-style dinner includes collaborative dishes, welcome cocktails, and a parting gift. Restaurant owner Demetrius Brown is a member of the chef collective Stolen Goods, which includes founder Max Hines, Justin Dixon and Cleophus Hethington, and several other Atlanta talents who specialize in blending Afro-Caribbean and Southern foodways. The dinner takes place on Sunday, Feb. 22.