History That Lives Here
Black History Month in the Mohawk Valley is about recognizing how Black history continues to shape our communities, our culture, and our shared future.
This February carries added national significance because 2026 marks 100 years of organized Black history commemorations, tracing back to Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s early work that grew from Negro History Week into what we now recognize as Black History Month. The 2026 theme centers on remembrance and the power of continued public commemoration.
Here in the Mohawk Valley, Black history is not abstract. It lives in community institutions, neighborhood stories, local leadership, and cultural spaces that invite learning and reflection.
In Utica, one of the region’s most meaningful annual gatherings brings history to life through community participation. Hosted by the NAACP Oneida County Branch in partnership with the Oneida County History Center, the Black History Month Celebration invites residents of all ages to learn through storytelling, youth presentations, and reflections on Black leaders who shaped both local and national history. It is a reminder that history is something we preserve by showing up and listening.
In Cooperstown, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum offers a powerful lens into Black history through its ongoing exhibit, The Souls of the Game: Voices of Black Baseball. Open since 2024, the exhibit highlights the legacy of Black baseball pioneers, the Negro Leagues, and legendary players whose talent and perseverance helped shape America’s pastime.
The Hall of Fame also extends the conversation beyond its walls. On Wednesday, February 4 at 1 pm Eastern Time, the Virtual Author Series features acclaimed author and historian Gerald Early discussing his new book, Play Harder: The Triumph of Black Baseball in America. The free program explores how Black Americans shaped baseball from the Civil War to today and welcomes live audience questions through Zoom and Facebook Live.
Black History Month in the Mohawk Valley is both reflection and participation. It is an invitation to learn, to listen, and to recognize that Black history has always been part of the Valley’s story.
Black History Month Programming
Utica
Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Black History Month Celebration
NAACP Oneida County Branch
Oneida County History Center
1608 Genesee Street, Utica
Cooperstown
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Virtual Author Series with Gerald Early
Free via Zoom and Facebook Live
More information at baseballhall.org
Information line 607-547-0362
Cooperstown
Ongoing Exhibit
The Souls of the Game: Voices of Black Baseball
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street, Cooperstown
Additional Black History Month events across the Mohawk Valley will be featured on our website as they are released.
