Community celebration features free public screenings of films and student shorts celebrating HBCU culture on Feb. 24 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum
BALTIMORE, Feb. 19, 2026 — HBCU Week NOW Day will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., featuring a slate of free public film screenings celebrating HBCU culture at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture.
HBCU Week NOW Day marks the opening of CIAA Tournament week in Baltimore. All events are free, and seating is limited. Event registration details are available through the HBCU Week NOW event listings here.
HBCU Week NOW Day’s programming reflects the mission of its flagship HBCU Week NOW platform — a public media partnership honoring Historically Black Colleges & Universities — and its focus on elevating timely, HBCU-centered storytelling across multiple platforms, including its signature YouTube channel.
The day’s events will include screenings of “Inside the CIAA: Her Story,” “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect,” “Allergic to Failure: The Robert Covington Story,” and the HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival, in addition to award-winning short films created by HBCU students and PBS partner stations.
“HBCU storytelling matters because these institutions are among America’s most enduring engines of talent, leadership and cultural excellence,” said Travis E. Mitchell, senior vice president and chief content officer for Maryland Public Television and founder of HBCU Week NOW. “All of the films that are being showcased represent shining examples of HBCU culture.”
Mitchell added, “We invite everyone to come out, enjoy the day with us, and see how you can connect with the HBCU story.”
HBCU Week NOW is spearheaded by Maryland Public Television and serves as a destination for coverage of the nation’s 103 HBCUs, highlighting achievements and under-told stories across disciplines — including sports, civil rights, science, the arts and more.
HBCU Week NOW Day Program – Tuesday, Feb. 24, Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Baltimore, Md.
8:30 a.m.– 9:45 a.m. — “Inside the CIAA: Her Story”
CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker will be honored in addition to a screening of the film “Inside the CIAA: Her Story” which spotlights 50 years of women’s basketball excellence within the CIAA, the oldest historically Black athletic conference in the United States. Registration is free; a light breakfast will be served; seating is limited.
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. — “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect”
The screening and discussion connects HBCU leadership, cultural institutions and public media partners through storytelling. It follows Thurgood Marshall’s journey from HBCUs to the nation’s highest court. The film was included on The New York Times’ “40 Shows to Watch This Fall” list in 2025. Registration is free; lunch will be served; seating is limited.
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. — “Allergic to Failure: The Robert Covington Story”
The compelling film about former NBA player and Tennessee State University alum Robert Covington, the last HBCU graduate to play in the NBA, will be showcased with clips and a conversation panel with the producers.
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. — HBCU Student Film Festival, PBS partner short films
The afternoon program features an award-winning selection of student films that incorporate cultural conversation and immersive storytelling showcased under the inaugural HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival, along with short films produced by PBS partner stations, whose representatives will be in attendance.
Partners
HBCU Week NOW Day partners include Morgan State University, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Maryland Public Television, South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV), WXXI/Rochester, NY, Howard University Television/WHUT, North Carolina PBS, WABE-TV, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Alabama Public Television, with Black Public Media serving as the HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival partner.
Registration: All events are free with registration; seating is limited. Event registration details are available through the HBCU Week NOW event listings here.
Media note: Interview opportunities may be available with organizers and participating partners.
ABOUT HBCU WEEK NOW
HBCU Week NOW creates and distributes multi-platform digital content for a global audience
about the students, alumni, leaders, and innovative programs of the nation’s HBCUs. Partnering PBS stations are collaborating to produce a collection of original long-form and short films, live events, and other HBCU-themed programming. HBCU Week NOW is made possible by support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and is sponsored by Morgan State University. Subscribe to @HBCUWeekNOW on YouTube Follow @HBCUWeekNOW on Instagram. Visit hbcuweeknow.com for more information.
Media Contact:
Sharon Liggins, MARC Global Communications
sharon@marcglobalcommunications.com
818.207.5027