Black History Month 2026
Happy Black History Month!! The month of February is celebrated annually as Black History Month, a period of commemorating and recognizing the unique culture, deep history and essential contributions of Black Americans and Black people in the diaspora in United States history.
Starting as just a week-long event in 1926, it expanded to “Black History Month” in 1970. Congress then passed a law for the United States to officially observe “Black History Month” in 1986.
USC will be hosting many celebrations all around campus throughout the entire month of February to celebrate Black History Month including, MAJOR, a free Visions and Voices signature event on Wednesday, February 4th at 7pm in Bovard Auditorium and the Black History Month Family Celebration on February 25th from 12pm to 2pm in McCarthy Quad. For all of our Black History Month events hosted at the university this month, please visit the calendar link below. All of the events are open to all USC community members of all backgrounds.
Black History Month - Event Calendar
Also be on the lookout for smaller celebrations located at the USC Center for Black Culture and Student Affairs (CBCSA), a popular on-campus center that highlights Black culture and acts as a support space open to all USC community members.
A few notable USC alum and alumna of Black American heritage include John Singleton (‘91), director of Boyz N The Hood, Shonda Rhimes (‘94), creator of television shows: How to Bridgerton, Grey’s Anatomy, and Scandal, Alyson Felix (2008), Multi- Gold Medal Olympian, Ryan Coogler (2011), director of Black Panther, Sinners, and Creed, and, most recently, Storm Reid (2025), actress in A Wrinkle in Time and Euphoria.
Many of our current Black students and staff members at USC are making great contributions to our campus and academic community, including Professor Todd Boyd (School of Cinematic Arts) and Professor Jody Armour (Gould School of Law). There are a few spaces on campus named after other influential Black Trojans including: the Verna and Peter Dauterive Hall (VPD), a research hall on campus named after Dr. Verna and Peter Dauterive Hall, and the Alyson Felix Field, the official Track and Field for the USC Men and Women Track Teams, named after Mrs. Alyson Felix.
Be on the lookout for many cultural celebrations taking place in the Los Angeles area surrounding USC and throughout the entire country. We encourage all Trojans to get involved and attend these events to celebrate Black History Month wherever you may be. When we all take part in these events commemorating this Month, we are celebrating the strength, beauty, and resilience of the United States of America.
Written by: John Russell, Assistant Director – USC Office of Undergraduate Admission