February marks Black History Month at the University of Wisconsin, a month-long celebration centered on reflection, community and culture. This year’s theme, Black Love: Rooted, Radiant, Revolutionary, celebrates love in all of its forms and honors the power of love in Black communities, according to the Black History Month page on the Student Affairs website.
This year’s programming is led by the 2026 Black History Month Planning Committee in collaboration with the Black Cultural Center.
Manager of the kickoff subcommittee on the 2026 Black History Month Planning Committee, Makaylah Maxwell, shared some of the inspiration behind this year’s theme.
“We wanted to highlight the different facets of Black Love, especially because time and time again in media, Black love is often accompanied with a story of trauma or negativity,” Maxwell said. “We wanted to take the month to highlight not only romantic love, but also familial and self-love as well.”
Each year, the planning committee carefully chooses a theme that is relevant and able to be reflected on, not only by the planning committee, but also by the people who attend the events, according to Maxwell.
Four subcommittees make up the planning committee, with each committee having a different form of love they plan their events around — romantic love, brotherly love and friendship, familial love and self-love, Maxwell said.
Maxwell’s subcommittee is responsible for the kickoff event, which centers on Eros, or romantic love. This year’s kickoff will be a symbolic wedding ceremony celebrating Black love across the African diaspora, incorporating traditions such as jumping the broom and tying the knot.
Keep reading for a list of Black History Month arts-related events and more happening on campus this February.
Love Your Temple: A Pilates Experience (Feb. 4, 5 – 7:30 p.m.)
Join UW alumna and The Hilling Collective founder Morgan Hill for a pilates class. Morgan’s class will emphasize self-love and a nurturing approach to the practice.
The pilates experience takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. at the On Wisconsin AB room, Armory and Gymnasium in the Red Gym located at 716 Langdon St. Learn more and RSVP here.
Cocoa and Canvas (Feb. 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Cocoa and Canvas is a drop-in event taking place at the Indigenous Student Center that will focus on Black History Month, upcoming events and campus resources. Stop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to enjoy a cup of cocoa, get creative and to learn about community events and important topics.
Cocoa and Canvas takes place Thursday, Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 215 N Brooks St. Learn more here.
BLK PWR Showcase (Feb. 10, 6 – 8 p.m.)
Mark your calendars for the BLK PWR Showcase, where students will share a variety of talents including singing, poetry, dance, rapping and more. Get ready for an evening of community-building and empowerment.
The BLK PWR Showcase takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Play Circle in Memorial Union. Learn more about the showcase here.
Love Through Time: A Heartfelt Film & Art Wall (Feb. 12, 6 – 8 p.m.)
This event will showcase clips from films and television that highlight Black love in the media. The evening will conclude with a community art piece titled “Love through Time.”
The Love Through Time event takes place on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the On Wisconsin AB room, Armory and Gymnasium in the Red Gym located at 716 Langdon St. Learn more here.
WUD Cuisine x MSC Event (Feb. 13, 5 – 7 p.m.)
Enjoy the wonders of cheesemaking and charcuterie with friends at this fun food-filled event. Hosted by WUD Cuisine, the Multicultural Student Center and the Indigenous Student Center, the event will feature snacks from around the world.
The WUD Cuisine x MSC Event takes place on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 6 – 8 p.m. at the On Wisconsin AB room, Armory and Gymnasium in the Red Gym located at 716 Langdon St. Learn more and RSVP here.
Do You Rap Or Do You Tweet? (Feb. 17, 5 – 7 p.m.)
Queen in You is hosting a night of creativity and community, where students will come together to use their voices, through rap, spoken word or by showing support from the crowd.
Do You Rap Or Do You Tweet? takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 5 – 7 p.m. Learn more here.
BHM Keynote: Yolo Akili Robinson (Feb. 18, 7 – 9 p.m.)
Don’t miss this year’s keynote speaker Yolo Akili Robinson, a non-binary award-winning writer, healing justice practitioner, yogi and the founder and executive director of the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective. Robinson will lead attendees through an interactive workshop, reflecting on Black love and how it shows up in behaviors and relationships.
The keynote event takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Great Hall in Memorial Union. Learn more here.
Moonshine (Feb. 27, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.)
Moonshine, a Dance Department Special Event, celebrates Black artistic scholarship and the Black experience with live music, contemporary theater and dance during Black History Month.
Moonshine takes place on Friday, Feb. 27, from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space in Lathrop Hall. Learn more here.
For a full list of Black History Month events at UW, visit go.wisc.edu/bhm. Be sure to follow the BCC on Instagram (@uwmadisonbcc) for the latest event updates and information.
UW students interested in getting involved with future Black History Month programming can look out for the interest form to join next year’s planning committee, which will go live in September.
