In recognition of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, Elms College will host its 9th Annual Black Experience Summit on Friday, February 20, 2026, continuing the college’s long-standing commitment to celebrating Black voices, having critical academic discussions, and community building.
All are welcome to this year’s summit, co-sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph. This year’s theme Sankofa: Rooted in Truth, Rising in Dignity-Celebrating 100 Years of Black History, Faith, Scholarship, and the Stories That Shape Our Future. The theme centers on the Akan principle of Sankofa, a concept that means reaching back to reclaim wisdom from the past while moving forward.
We will welcome Dr. Stefan M. Bradley, historian & professor at Amherst College, as our keynote speaker. Dr. Bradley is the author of If We Don’t Get It: A People’s History of Ferguson, which embodies the spirit of Sankofa. His writing honors the lived experiences of young visionaries and community members while exploring the vivid grassroots history of the Ferguson movement. This movement was one of the most pivotal protests for racial justice in the 21st century.
Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Veritas Auditorium, Elms College
Agenda Highlights:
- Keynote Address by Dr. Stefan M. Bradley
- Panel Discussion on Governor Healey’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment
- Spoken Poetry by Lyrical Faith
- Song and Dance Ensemble by Parent Villages Youth Builders
This event is free and open to all. You can register here.
Dr. Harry Dumay, Elms College President, said, “Elms College is proud to offer to all in Western Massachusetts, particularly to students, this annual gathering of academic experts and community thought leaders on the experience of African Americans and the African Diaspora in the United States. This contribution to history, knowledge, and truth is consistent with our mission as a higher education in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.”
Dr. Tyra Good, Inaugural Executive Director of the Center for Equity in Urban Education and Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Equity, said, “Grounded in the principle of Sankofa, this year’s Black Experience Summit brings together history, scholarship, and community voices to advance dignity, equity, and collective action as we courageously shape a more just and inclusive shared future.”
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield is co-sponsoring the 9th Annual Black Experience Summit with Elms College. To date, additional sponsors include: Greenfield Cooperative Bank, Key Program, Inc., Multicultural Community Services of Pioneer Valley, Inc., Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, and the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, and the Hampden County Honorary Deputy Sheriffs Association.