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from the desk of
Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D.
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Dear Eagle Nation:
As we celebrate Black History Month, I am filled with immense pride in our Coppin State University community and the legacy we continue to build together.
This year's theme, "A Century of Black History Commemorations," honors 100 years since Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History established Negro History Week in 1926. What began as a single week has grown into a nationwide celebration, a testament to the enduring importance of documenting, preserving, and sharing the rich contributions of Black people.
For a century, this commemoration has reminded us that Black history is American history. It is a history of resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination. Here at Coppin State, we carry forward this tradition every day. Our very name honors Fanny Jackson Coppin, a woman born into slavery who became one of the most influential educators of her era. She was the first Black woman to lead a major institution of higher learning in the United States, and her belief in education as a path to liberation and empowerment continues to guide our mission. Her legacy lives in every student who walks our campus and every graduate who goes on to serve their community.
This month, we honor the trailblazers whose courage made our presence here possible. We celebrate the scholars, activists, artists, and everyday people who refused to accept limitations placed upon them. And we recommit ourselves to preparing the next generation of leaders who will carry this legacy forward.
To our students: You are the living embodiment of our ancestors' hopes. Your achievements in the classroom, in your communities, and beyond are a testament to what is possible when determination meets opportunity.
As we mark this historic centennial, let us use this month to learn, to celebrate, and to inspire one another. Together, we will continue writing the next chapter of our shared history.
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| Black History Month at Coppin
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I'll Make Me A World
February 2 | 1:00 p.m. | Virtual
Marking the centennial of Black History Month, Harvard University African and African American Studies professor Jarvis R. Givens offers a powerful examination of its origins, evolution, and political significance. Drawing from I’ll Make Me a World, Givens traces Black History Month from its radical beginnings as Negro History Week to its role today within ongoing cultural and educational battles. Centering the wisdom of Black educators and the often-overlooked labor of preserving Black memory, he challenges narrow, celebratory narratives and calls for a fuller understanding of Black history as a liberatory intellectual tradition. Givens will be joined in conversation by Karsonya Wise Whitehead, host of Today with Dr. Kaye on WEAA 88.9 FM
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ASCEND HBCU Tour & Civic Engagement Sessions
February 5 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tawes Ballroom
Ascend HBCU Tour: Gen Z Rise brings the National Action Network (NAN) to Coppin State University for a transformative leadership training experience on Thursday, February 5, 2026. Designed specifically for Gen Z students, this national initiative centers high-impact leadership development, civic engagement training, and faith-inspired dialogue that equips HBCU scholars to lead with clarity, conviction, and courage.
Rooted in NAN’s mission to educate, engage, and activate the next generation of leaders, the Ascend HBCU Tour merges purpose with practice, challenging students to rise in power and service while addressing the urgent social justice issues shaping their communities and the nation. Grounded in the belief that HBCU students are uniquely positioned to drive transformational change, Gen Z Rise affirms their role as architects of a more just future.
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Celebration: Uplifting & Honoring the Culture & History of Black Dance
February 11 | 7:30 p.m.
Gordon Center for Performing Arts
3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue
Owings Mills, Maryland, 21117
In partnership with the Baltimore Black Dance Collective, the Gordon Center presents CELEBRATION, an evening honoring the history, diversity, and beauty of African American culture through movement and storytelling. Held in February in recognition of Black History Month, this dynamic showcase proudly features the Coppin Dance Company, alongside local professional dance companies, student ensembles from Baltimore County Public Schools, and Baltimore-area dance studios.
Featuring original works across an eclectic range of styles, including ballet, hip hop, liturgical dance, and more, CELEBRATION reflects the richness of the African Diaspora while uplifting community voices. Bridging generations and traditions, the performance celebrates both the enduring legacy and the evolving future of Black cultural artistry.
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Coppin Repertory Theatre presents The Meeting
February 11 - March 1
The Theatre Lab, Grace Jacobs Building
Written by Jeff Stetson
Directed by Josh Wilder
Set on Valentine’s Day, 1965, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, this powerhouse play imagines a conversation between two of modern political life's most visionary leaders - Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. A provocative clash of ideas, political philosophies, and strategies, Jeff Stetson offers a rare glimpse into the shared humanity of not just two national icons, but two fathers who are ready to die for their beliefs.
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Coppin Chopped: The Black Table
February 18 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Talon Center, Main Dining Hall
Join us for Coppin Chopped—The Black Table: “What’s at Our Table?” hosted by the African American History Committee, Thompson Hospitality, and Business Services.
The Black Table represents a sacred space, a symbol of enduring community and culture. It is where we Gather, Survive, Celebrate, Resist, Remember, Imagine. It is a place of sharing, sustenance, and collective strength.
Competition Details
Gather three friends to form your competitive team and prepare to test your culinary creativity! Get ready to compete in this exciting challenge.
We look forward to seeing what innovative dishes your team brings to The Black Table.
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Unity Day and Marketplace
February 24 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tawes Center
Coppin celebrates the unity of the African American community with a vendor’s mart and other activities. Come join us, support our vendors, and celebrate 100 years of Black History Month.
Vendor Registration
- Registration for vendors closes February 17
- Discounts available for Coppin students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
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The Harlem Renaissance
March 6 | 3:00am - 5:00pm
The Mill on North
2636 W North Avenue,
Baltimore, MD 21216
A cultural and academic showcase honoring the artistic, literary, and intellectual legacy of the Harlem Renaissance through student performances, literary expression, and visual art. The event promotes student creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and engagement with faculty, alumni, and campus leadership.
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| Black History Month Speaker Series
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Take care, be well, and Go Eagles!
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Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D.
President
Coppin State University
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