Elizabethtown College marked the start of Black History Month on Jan. 30 with a campuswide kickoff event centered on reflection, remembrance and community. Held at 4:30 p.m. in the Brossman Commons Concourse, the gathering officially launched a month of programming honoring the people, movements and milestones that have shaped the ongoing pursuit of justice and human dignity.

Black History Month, recognized nationally throughout February, takes on special significance in 2026 as it commemorates the theme “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” The theme marks the 100th anniversary of the first national observance of Black history and culture, established by historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson.

The kickoff event brought students, faculty and staff together for a flag raising and community gathering recognizing the legacies and continued contributions of Black leaders, artists, changemakers and Etown students. The ceremony emphasized that Black history is not confined to the past but remains central to understanding the present.

Director of Student Opportunity, Access and Engagement Darcy Mills delivered the opening address, setting the tone for the month ahead. Mills focused on the importance of remembrance, truth and responsibility in moments when history is often challenged or minimized.

“When people are denied their history, they are denied their humanity,” Mills said.

Throughout his remarks, Mills described Black history as a living inheritance rather than a symbolic observance. “Black history was never meant to be symbolic,” he said. “It was meant to be lived — taught, shared, carried and rooted in community.”

Mills emphasized that remembering history requires openness and honesty, especially in difficult times. “Black history does not exist to make a nation more comfortable; it exists to make it more honest,” he said. “In moments when history is narrowed or erased, remembrance is not ceremonial — it is necessary.”

Students attending the event echoed the importance of creating space for both reflection and unity.

“In these times of hardship and isolation, it’s important to have this month of commemoration and community,” Alysse Smith, a senior biology pre-med major, said. “It reminds us that we’re not alone and that these conversations still matter.”

For Erina Fortune, a senior political science major with a minor in biology, Black History Month serves as an opportunity to recognize shared histories and collective responsibility.

“At times like these, it’s critical for us to come together and celebrate all of our histories as people,” Fortune said. “Our histories are all intertwined, and we must recognize that.”

The kickoff also encouraged attendees to reflect on how historical understanding can lead to meaningful change. Hanna Tran, a senior in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program, said acknowledging difficult truths is essential for progress.

“Black History Month is a time to reflect on the history of oppression and prejudice that has marked American history,” Tran said. “We must recognize that in order to dismantle barriers and overcome adversity and division.”

Mills reinforced that idea, noting that learning history is not passive. “Democracy depends on memory, and justice requires truth to be both heard and held,” he said. “Our responsibility is not only to remember, but to respond through how we build community and care for one another.”

He also stressed that Black history should not be separated from the broader American narrative. “Black history is not separate from American history,” Mills said. “It is unfinished and it continues to ask something of us.”

This month also serves as a reminder that Black history is inseparable from American history. The experiences, labor, creativity and leadership of Black Americans have shaped the nation’s systems, cultural movements and social progress from its founding to the present day. Understanding American history without acknowledging Black history leaves major gaps in how the country’s past and its present are understood. By engaging honestly with this history, communities are better equipped to recognize injustice, learn from it and work toward a more equitable future.

As the flag was raised and the gathering concluded, the message of the evening remained clear: Black History Month is not simply a moment on the calendar, but a call to engage thoughtfully, listen openly and act with intention.

Through its monthlong programming, Etown aims to create space for education, dialogue and collective growth — ensuring that the work of remembering remains active, communal and grounded in truth.