Black History Month 2026 Events at a Glance
Event changes may occur throughout the month. Check back for the most up-to-date information.
Abraham Lincoln Demond 1989 Day (ALD)
Wednesday, February. 4, 2026
Corey Union Function Room
5 - 8 p.m.
Keynote: Shontay Lundy '04 Remarks by: President Bitterbaum, Cortland Alumni and Elizabeth Baldi '26.
Celebrate the legacy of Abraham Lincoln DeMond who was the first African American to graduate from SUNY Cortland. We will be providing dinner for attendees and there will be speeches made by our amazing Cortland Alumni and others who will help us recognize why ALD Day is important to them.
Contact: Elizabeth Baldi
Common Read Book ClubTuesday, February 10, 2026 Presenters: Common Read Book Club This student-led book club discussion will focus on our campus Common Read text for the year, The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. The novel uses magical realism to tell the story of the Underground Railroad. Please join us as we consider the power of narratives to engage with the challenging history of slavery. All are welcome. Contact: Abigail Droge |
Uplifting Voices: The Profound Impact and Importance of Black Sororities at Predominantly White Institutions
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Corey Union, Exhibition Lounge
6 – 7:15 pm.
Presenter: Tracy Hudson,
This workshop explores the critical role Black sororities play in supporting identity development, leadership, academic persistence, and community care for Black women at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Rooted in history and lived experience, the session highlights how Black sororities serve as counter spaces that affirm belonging, cultivate sisterhood, and foster resilience within environments that can feel isolating or exclusionary. Participants will engage in reflection, dialogue, and strategy building to better understand how these organizations uplift voices and strengthen institutional climates.
Learning objective
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Explain the historical purpose of Black sororities and their continued relevance at PWIs
- Identify how Black sororities function as spaces of care, resistance, leadership, and cultural affirmation
- Understand the impact of sorority membership on academic success, wellness, and persistence
- Recognize challenges Black sororities face at PWIs, including visibility, resource inequity, and misunderstanding
- Explore strategies institutions and allies can use to support and sustain Black Greek Letter Organizations
Contact: Tracy Hudson
tracy.hudson@cortland,edu
Multicultural Alumni Council Student/Alumni Workshop
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Corey Union , Room 301 visual only for alum
7 - 8 pm
Alumni interested in getting involved in MAC, can fill out the form at RedDragonNetwork.org/MACform
Join us for a kickoff session designed to bridge the gap between current student leaders and the alumni who walked in your shoes. This isn’t just a networking event—it’s the start of a community.
In this first meeting, we will introduce the alumni members of the Multicultural Alumni Council (MAC) and give student leaders the floor to share their goals and challenges. We’ll also be mapping out a series of future panels tailored to student needs—covering everything from navigating career pivots (even if you leave your major) to mastering the art of self-advocacy. Whether you are a first-year student looking to get involved or a Senior preparing for life after Cortland, this is your chance to shape the conversations that will help you succeed.
Contact: Rita Torsney-Sullivan
[email protected]
Sponsors: Office of Alumni Engagement, MLDO, Voice Office, Institutional Equity and Inclusion Office
Ubuntu: I am; because we are. Black Women of Value and Excellence
Sandwich Seminar
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Old Main, Colloquium Room
12:30 - 1 pm
Speakers: Martha J. Alvarez, MSW (Class of 2020), Alliyah Dookie, MA (Class of 2020), and Deidre Kirkem, MSW (Class of 2018)
Rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, the belief that our existence is tied to the humanity of others, our panel discussion explores our transformative journey, that of three women of color, from SUNY Cortland students to community leaders. We will reflect on how the Cortland experience, specifically its Black-led clubs, Africana studies courses, and mentorship from Black faculty members shaped our identities as professionals that we are today. By sharing our lived experiences at SUNY Cortland, we will highlight how the community we built in Cortland gave us the resilience and "excellence" required to navigate careers in social work, education, and community advocacy. Our presentation is a celebration of the collective. It testifies to the fact that our individual successes are reflections of the SUNY Cortland village that raised us intellectually and socially.
Speaker Biographies
Martha J. Alvarez, MSW
Martha is a Class of 2020 alumna who majored in International Studies with a focus on Africa. After earning her Master of Social Work from Concord University, she dedicated her career to humanitarian service, working with the International Rescue Committee to support refugees and unaccompanied minors. A clinical practitioner skilled in CBT and DBT, Martha provides psychotherapy for complex trauma cases in NYC and remains active in community advocacy through the NAACP and FOPCHEN.
Alliyah Dookie, MA
Alliyah Dookie is a SUNY Cortland alumni from the Class of 2020 who graduated with two bachelors in Africana Studies and Political Science. Since graduating she has earned a masters in Africana studies from Stony Brook University and currently works
as the Career and Internship Coordinator at New Dawn Charter High School to help a diverse student body gain access to various professional opportunities. In addition to her work at New Dawn, she serves as a Program Assistant for Baruch STEP Academy helping high schoolers prepare for their transition to higher education and as Event Support for New York Road Runners to assist with fostering equity and access to sports for young athletes.
Deidre Kirkem, MSW
Originally a student leader and President of LFL at SUNY Cortland, Deidre is an honors graduate of 2018 who recently completed her Master’s in Social Work. Currently an EOP Counselor at Tompkins Cortland Community College, she specializes in trauma-informed care and psychotherapeutic techniques. A dedicated advocate for BIPOC communities, Deidre served as the chair of C4 (Cortland County Community of Color) and was the keynote speaker for Kente 2025.
Contact: Bekeh Ukelina
www.bekeh.com or [email protected]>
Student of Color Panel Discussion: Who and where are my people and resources? Let's connect!Wednesday, February 18, 2026 |
Education and Action Toward Racial Equity
Wellness Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
Neubig Hall Lobby
Noon - 2 p.m.
Presenter: Lauren Scagnelli
Join us to build awareness and education to ultimately unlearn bias and engage in anti-racist action. We will highlight the 21-day anti-racism challenge and outline steps to begin.
Contact: Lauren Scagnelli
Sponsors: Health and Wellness Promotion, Multicultural Life and Diversity
Office and Wellness Peer Educators
Race, Technology, and Labor: The Legend of John Henry, the Luddites and Labor in the Age of AI
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
Presenter: John Jones
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has become an important topic of discussion in many fields, particularly in education. Responses to the new technology range from giddy, quasi-utopian optimism, to fear and criticism. One aspect of the new technology that has provoked a fair amount of discussion is its effect, both current and projected, on labor and the nature of work. The story of John Henry, seemingly half-legend and half-history, possesses many parallels to many of the issues related to this new technology, and can help us to develop helpful ways to think and respond to the social and economic changes triggered by its deployment.
This lecture will focus on questions such as the historicity of the John Henry legend, the legends parallels with the Luddite movement in early 19th century England, and the use of the legend as a symbol by US labor movements.
Contact: John Jones
[email protected]
Carrying the Torch: Black Women Who Shaped Education (A Black History Month-Women's History Month Crossover Project)
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
This program celebrates the legacy and ongoing impact of Black women in education; from trailblazing founders and pioneering teachers to today's scholars and student leaders. Spanning from February 28th into March 1st (to encompass the last day of BHM and the first day of WHM), we will honor Black women who have transformed the landscape of learning, both nationally and here at SUNY Cortland. The project will include presentations, campus exhibits, and roundtable discussions highlighting the stories of Black women educators; past and present. We'll spotlight historic figures like Mary McLeod Bethune, Septima Clark, and Anna Julia Cooper, as well as current Black women educators and students shaping our college and community. Our goal is to amplify these vital voices, create campus-wide engagement, and spark conversation about the central role of Black women in education. This event will encourage all campus members to reflect, celebrate, and participate in building a more inclusive academic legacy
Contact: Sigrid Mazzoni
[email protected]