In its 60th Anniversary Forum Series The Bay State Banner presented on February 12, “The State of Black America.” Two open forums complemented the newspaper’s special essay section to commemorate Boston and black history. WGBH sponsored mid-day talks at the Boston Public Library moderated by the Banner’s editor Ron Mitchell. Panelists included Dr. Noelle Trent, executive director of the Museum of African American History of Boston & Nantucket, who spoke about the effort to restore last year’s funding cuts from the  Institute of Library and Museum Services. Because black museums are grassroots efforts, the funding has been crucial to the health of the organization.  With the community activated an appeal was filed, which resulted in an injunction and restoration of funding. She also elaborated on how other American black museums have contributed to laying the foundation for African American museum scholarship.

Byron Rushing talked about the historians who joined forces to begin a national commemoration of black history in the U.S.. He also covered his own role in interpreting monuments that have been dedicated in Boston over the years. Visual artist L’Merchie Frazier, Executive Director of Spoke Art Inc., elaborated on the creation of the black aesthetic over time and the importance of black visual-history collectives. JerriAnne Boggis, Executive Director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, explained how its neighborhood tours  developed for students have been enhanced by augmented reality. The recording of the panel is available here.

Later that afternoon, a community forum was hosted by the Museum of African American History at 46 Joy Street. Authors of some of the essays in the Banner’s special section, “Celebrating Black History Month” (February 12, 2026), gave remarks, which rounded out the  day of reflection about black history as American history.

February 24, 2026    –Mary Beth Clack, Mary Blocher, Cindy Coldren, Pat Krol, Liz Levin