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2026 Black History Month

Decorative border in orange, red, yellow and green frame white text in a black background. Text reads, “Black History Month.”

Understanding Black history is integral to understanding the history, issues and the future of our country. One of the founding documents of this country, the United States Declaration of Independence, held that "all men are created equal." However, the long history and the impacts of enslavement, segregation and redlining are still felt today. Each February, San Diego Public Library honors Black History Month, by celebrating culture and community, and recognizing the achievements—as well as the continuing struggles—of Black Americans. 2026 marks a century of Black history commemorations. Read more from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and the theme for 2026.

Quick links:

 

Black History Month Author Talk

Decorative border in orange, red, yellow and green frame white text that reads, “Natalie Baszile.” The author is photographed dressed in blue.

We Are Each Other's Harvest with Natalie Baszile
Monday, Feb. 24 | 6 p.m. | Central Library, Neil Morgan Auditorium

SDPL and USD Copley Library’s Black History Month author spotlight features author Natalie Baszile deliver the annual talk with a community fair, Q&A and book signing.

Natalie Baszile will give insights into new book, We are Each Other's Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land & Legacy. This work of non-fiction has essays, poems, conversations, portraits and first-person narratives that connect Black people to land from the Emancipation to the present. Her passion for the stories of Black farmers and land stewards comes from a desire to shift the narrative around agriculture, farming and labor.

Baszile is the author of the novel, Queen Sugar, which was adapted for seven television seasons and nominated for an NAACP Image Award. She has a M.A. in Afro-American Studies from UCLA, and an MFA from Warren Wilson College's MFA Program for Writers.

 

Program Series

Decorative border in orange, red, yellow and green frame a white silhouette of a male figure with a mic. Musical notes float diagonally across the black background.

Freedom Quilt Fabric Mosaic with ToshWerks
Create an art project inspired by the historical quilts associated with slavery and the Underground Railroad.  Materials provided.

Blacktronika: Afrofuturism in Electronic Music
Feb. 7 | Feb. 14 | Feb. 21 | Feb. 28
Saturdays | 3 p.m. | Central Library, Neil Morgan Auditorium

UCSD Professor and music producer, King Britt returns to Central library to present a series of lectures that spotlight innovators of color in electronic music. Participants select one of five different pathways that lead to the birth of specific genres including Funk, Philly Disco, Chicago House, Detroit Techno, Birmingham’s Sun Ra and more. A must for all ages and ethnicities who want to learn about the true Black history of these movements.

Black History Film Screenings
Watch a variety of films showcasing Black history in different genres and participate in Q&As, film discussions and more.

 
 

Library Events

Decorative border in orange, red, yellow and green frame a white silhouette of quilt pattern and sewing machine.

Crafternoon: Black History Month Love Tree
Tuesday, Feb. 10 | 4 p.m. | Balboa Library

Local Authors Book Talk: Joi Jackson and Nita Love
Tuesday, Feb. 10 | 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Central Library

Book Club: James
Thursday, Feb. 12 | 4 p.m. | Pacific Beach/Taylor Library

STEAM Event: Celebrate Inventor Garrett Morgan Sr. with Circuits
Thursday, Feb. 19 | 3 p.m. | University Heights Library

A Century of Black History Commemoration
Saturday, Feb. 21 | 11 a.m. | Oak Park Library

 

Collection & Displays

Collection Highlights

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San Diego Public Library has a range of physical and digital items that honor Black history, culture and arts. Click the links or visit the library to learn more.

Black History Month Films | Watch on Kanopy  Library card required.

The Qwest TV Collection on Alexander Street
A collection 150 live performances, covering the evolution of jazz and beyond— representing funk, soul, hip-hop, folk, indie, electronic, blues and other eclectic world genres.

African Diaspora Collections | Skyline Hills Library | Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library
The African Diaspora Collection includes adult and juvenile fiction, non-fiction, paperback novels, CDs and DVDs at two SDPL locations.

 

Black History On Display

  • Decorative border in orange, red, yellow and green frame a display at Central Library’s Art, Music and Rec section. Bold text reads, “WE MATTER” accompanied by a female figure, whose dress is built from a series of black and white photographs of historically significant black figures
  • Decorative border in orange, red, yellow and green frame a picture of a book display. Central Library’s Art, Music and Rec section showcase a number of books to celebrate Black History Month
  • San Diego Public Library celebrates Black History Month with informational displays.
  • San Diego Public Library celebrates Black History Month with informational displays.
  • San Diego Public Library celebrates Black History Month with informational displays.
  • San Diego Public Library celebrates Black History Month with informational displays.
  • San Diego Public Library celebrates Black History Month with informational displays.
  • San Diego Public Library celebrates Black History Month with informational displays.
 

Civic Art Collection on View at SDPL

  • Malcolm X by Ed Dwight from 1998Malcolm X by Ed Dwight from 1998
  • Jazz Guitar by Ed DwightJazz Guitar by Ed Dwight
  • Bessie Smith by Ed DwightBessie Smith by Ed Dwight
  • Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson by Ed DwightBill 'Bojangles' Robinson by Ed Dwight
  • The Youth is the Future by Eddie Edwards from 1994The Youth is the Future by Eddie Edwards from 1994

Explore pieces from the Civic Art Collection. These pieces are on permanent display at Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library:

  • Malcolm X by Ed Dwight | 1998
  • Jazz Guitar by Ed Dwight | Late 20th Century
  • Bessie Smith by Ed Dwight | Late 20th Century
  • Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson by Ed Dwight | Late 20th Century
  • The Youth is the Future by Eddie Edwards |1994

Ed Dwight has created homages to the most significant contributions of black culture to American history. His work has focused on the history of jazz and its significant figures, as well as civil rights activists and African American pioneers. He holds an MFA from the University of Denver.

Eddie Edwards was a painter, illustrator, lecturer, muralist, and poet. In 1969 he opened the Edwards S. E. Community Arts and Cultural Center in San Diego. Open from 1970 to 1980, the center was designed to provide the community with a place to develop creativity and cultural awareness.

Learn more about pieces from the Civic Art Collection on view at Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library.

Explore the Civic Art Collection.

 

Video

collage of Black historical figures and advocates including Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc.

How did it start? SDPL looks into the beginnings of Black History Month!
A Quick Introduction

a young man imitates the contemplative pose of a bronze Malcolm X bust inside the library

How did Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library get its name?
A San Diego Public Library Short Film

Black and white portrait of a young Black child in the fields with farm workers in the background. Title: We Are Not Strangers Here

California Black History & Rural Life
with Angela Booker & Caroline Collins 

a young bearded man gestures with his hands inside Central Library’s Shiley Special Events Suite.

Speak! Rudy Francisco talks poetry with Michael Klam
Conversations with Poets

Stylized photo collage of a young woman in front of a colorful plant background.

Black Girl Environmentalist founder Wawa Gatheru Speaks in San Diego
SD Circuit Sustainability Author Talks

A Black woman smiles at the camera while seated at the Neil Morgan Auditorium stage at Central Library.

A Short Lesson on Sociopoetics with Sharon Elise
Conversations with Poets

An older Black man with dreadlocks and glasses smiles with library shelving in the background.

Ted Washington and Michael Klam Talk It Out at Central Library
Conversations with Poets

Photo of a Black woman with her hands steepled together in the Neil Morgan Auditorium.

Natasha Hooper on Performance, Poetry Slams & Writing
Conversations with Poets

A Black man gestures and smiles in front of book shelving at Central Library.

Gill Sotu's Evolution from Visual Artist to Vet to the Performing Arts
Conversations with Poets

A Black woman smiles slightly among palm fronds with the title “Lakewood with Megan Giddings” in the background.

Megan Giddings on writing, Lakewood & Upcoming Projects
Black History Month Featured Speaker

Photo collage of a Black woman wearing glasses and red lipstick in front of vividly colored borders with the title “Red Lip Theology”

Candice Marie Benbow talks Red Lip Theology at Central Library
Black History Month Featured Speaker

 

Resources

 

A Guide for Additional Resources

African American History Online: A Resource Guide | Library of Congress
Over 400 years of the African American experience is documented through primary source materials at the Library of Congress. This guide provides access to digitized collections, search strategies, and external websites related to the topic.

Black History Month: A Commemorative Observances Legal Research Guide | Library of Congress
The Law Library of Congress has prepared materials with commentary and recommended resources for selected national observances and commemorative months. This guide provides a brief history of the laws and presidential proclamations that established Black History Month.

 

Read for Black History Month

Readers of all ages are invited to participate in an online reading challenge. During the month of February, celebrate Black History Month by reading 5 themed books or logging 5 hours of reading.

Register for the Challenge