Creating Foundational Support for Our Black Student Communities

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History has announced the 2026 theme for Black History Month: “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” which honors how Carter G. Woodson’s concept of “Negro History Week” has evolved to become an annual, month-long, scholarly and sustained movement to study, teach and disseminate Black history.

Improving the resources, options, and support for Black students is a constant, sustained effort at NOCCCD. At the most recent board meeting, the NOCCCD Board of Trustees approved out-of-country travel for 17 individuals to attend the All-African Diaspora Education 2026 Summit (ADES) in Ghana, Africa. Additionally, to demonstrate its commitment, Fullerton College specifically defined becoming a recognized Black-Serving Institution under California SB 1348 in its 2025-29 Strategic Plan Proposal last year. This is a designation the college is well on its way to achieving.

Both college campuses will hold a variety of Black History Month events until the end of February, with some exciting guest appearances. Tomorrow, Fullerton College will welcome Bambadjan Bamba to campus. Bamba is an Ivorian actor, filmmaker and immigrant rights activist who has appeared in movie titles like Black Panther. Next week, the much anticipated visit from Dr. Edward C. Bush, President of Consumnes River College, will take place on February 9^th. Dr. Bush is the co-author of the theoretical framework, African American Male Theory (AAMT); co-founder of A2MEND; and Chair of ADES. Towards the end of the month, the District’s Black Faculty Staff Association will host a screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary I am Not Your Negro at the Cypress College.

Mark your calendars for the events below and join us in commemorating a century of honoring Black excellence!