2026 Black History Month
UMB Celebrates Black History Month
Dear UMB Community,
February is Black History Month, a time when we honor the rich legacy and enduring strength of Black communities and recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of Black individuals. We celebrate impactful leaders and trailblazers, such as:
- The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, who was born in Baltimore, served on the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, co-authored a brief with Ruth Bader Ginsburg for the Reed v. Reed case, and wrote the book “States’ Laws on Race and Color,” which Thurgood Marshall called the “bible” of the civil rights movement
- The late Rep. Elijah Cummings, JD ’76, former chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform in Congress and champion for West Baltimore
- Kizzmekia S. Corbett-Helaire, PhD, University of Maryland, Baltimore County graduate who was the scientific lead for the Coronavirus Vaccines and Immunopathogenesis Team at the National Institutes of Health during the pandemic
This month, and throughout the year, we are called to deepen our understanding of the fullness of Black experiences — our humanity, achievements, struggles, and victories. The ongoing fight against racial injustice, violence, and systemic inequality reminds us of the continued work ahead. Throughout history, the courage of those who have fought for liberation and justice fuels our hope for a more inclusive and equitable future.
As poet Amanda Gorman reminds us: “There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” Her words encourage us to embody hope, courage, and resilience as we strive to fulfill our ancestors’ dreams of freedom and equality.
Black History Month is a time to celebrate the legacy of Black people, reflect on our collective history, and recommit ourselves to building a more just and inclusive society.
In collaboration,
Diane Forbes Berthoud, PhD, MA
Chief Inclusive Excellence and Institutional Effectiveness Officer and Vice President
Professor, School of Graduate Studies