Renowned Scholar and Author Eddie Glaude Jr. to Headline Feb. 19 Legacy Gala

Alabama A&M University will commemorate Black History Month with a series of campuswide events throughout February, highlighting culture, service, entrepreneurship and the enduring legacy of Black history and leadership.

A centerpiece of the month’s programming will be the Black History Month Legacy Gala featuring Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. on Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Knight Center Ballroom. The event is free, but register here to reserve your seat. Glaude is a nationally recognized scholar, author and public commentator whose work explores race, democracy and the American experience. He is a New York Times bestselling author and a distinguished professor at Princeton University, and he frequently appears in national media to discuss social and political issues.

Glaude is the author of several books, including “Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own” and “Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul.” His writing and commentary examine the nation’s history and present-day challenges while encouraging civic engagement and public dialogue.

In addition to the Legacy Gala, the University will host a variety of student-focused activities designed to celebrate Black culture, encourage service and foster campus engagement.

Feb. 4: Black History Month Kickoff and Maroon & White Market, noon to 2 p.m., Elmore Gymnasium. The event will feature food trucks, approved student entrepreneurs, music and activities.

Feb. 9: Black History Month Blood Drive, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ralph Lee Student Center Bulldog Den.

Feb. 9: Film screening of “Birthright” (1938), 6 p.m., Wilson Hall/State Black Archives.

Feb. 11: Flavor of the Hill and Marketplace, noon to 2 p.m., The Quad. The event will include multiple food vendors and student entrepreneurs.

Feb. 16: Film screening of “One Potato, Two Potato” (1964), 6 p.m., Wilson Hall/State Black Archives

Feb. 18: Black History Month Community Service Project, 4 p.m., Ralph Lee Student Center Bulldog Lounge. Students will make blankets for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Feb. 19: Black History Month Legacy Gala featuring Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., 6 p.m., Knight Center Ballroom. The Bulldog Legacy and Impact Awards will also be presented. 

Feb. 21: Black History Month Talent Showcase, 2 p.m., Elmore Gymnasium.

Feb. 23: Film screening of “Breaking a Monster” (2015), 6 p.m., Wilson Hall/State Black Archives.

Black History Month holds special significance at historically Black colleges and universities, where the mission has always been rooted in education, empowerment and community uplift. For HBCU students, the month is a reminder of the resilience, creativity and leadership of those who came before them, and a call to continue shaping a more just and inclusive future.