Join The Mosaic as we celebrate, honor, and uplift our Black and African American community. This February marks 100 Years of Black History and serves as a reminder of the impact of Black history on our country. We acknowledge the profound contributions and influence of Black and African Americans that have shaped our nation's history, while also celebrating their cultural influences, resilience, love, and service. We pay tribute to the ongoing representation, creativity, and artistic expression that enriches our communities. 

As we honor the Association for the Study of African American Life and History theme, "Century of Black History Commemorations," we reflect on a legacy of brilliance that has fundamentally shaped our country. A continued and steady reminder that Black history is a true testament of US history. ASALH states, "From Negro History Week to Black History Month, ASALH has carried forth the tradition, and the observances have become part of the warp and weft of American culture and increasingly the global community. For our 100th theme, the founders of Black History Month urge us to explore the impact and meaning of Black history and life commemorations in transforming the status of Black peoples in the modern world." (Association for the Study of African American Life and History). For more information about ASALH 2026 Black History Month, click here. 

National recognition may have arrived in 1976, yet the legacy of Black excellence has always been woven into the fabric of our society. We celebrate not just the milestones of the past, but also the vibrant culture and creativity of the present. For The Mosaic, 'Inclusive Excellence' means ensuring this celebration isn't confined to a single month. We remain committed to honoring and elevating the history and ongoing contributions of the Black and African American community year-round.

Throughout February, join our UMBC community in celebrating with events and programs. Consider connecting with one of our many student organizations, such as BSU, BGSO, the Association for Black Artists, and the African Student Association, for more events! 

Hear Our Stories: Celebrating Black History Month

Monday, February 2, 2026 

11:30 AM - 1 PM

Commons Mainstreet (in front of the Bookstore)

Join The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity & The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being as we read and highlight Black and Africana stories through children's literature.

Music & The Mosaic (Black History Month × The Grammys Edition!)

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

12 - 1 PM | 2B23 The Commons

Join us in a laid-back, vibrant setting where music, culture, and conversation come together. This pop-up will explore the impact of Black artists on the music industry, iconic Grammy moments, and the cultural influence of Black music across genres.

Black Excellence Summit

Friday, February 6, 2026

Our 2026 theme, "Roots of Success: Grounded in Community," highlights our foundational belief in the indispensable power of building and maintaining a shared community. We deeply value the rich diversity among our students, staff, and faculty, which is a key source of UMBC's strength. However, the reality for some of our community members, particularly those who are Black, often feel a gap in a shared cultural or racial community. To honor our theme, we aim to cultivate an environment where Black students, staff, and community members are not only heard and seen but also feel grounded in our shared community. Through the Black Excellence Summit, we are evolving the concept of Black Excellence. We hope to redefine it away from appealing to external societal norms, and instead, focus on celebrating the richness of the Black experience within our community, recognizing and fostering success in all its genuine forms.

BSU Groove Theory: BES After Party! 

Friday, February 6, 2026

7 - 10 PM | UC Ballroom 

The Official Black Excellence Summit After Party! Come dressed up for our soul train themed get together and be ready for a night full of music, dance, and fun!

Divine 9 Greek Night 

Thursday, February 12, 2026 

6:30 PM | Chesapeake Arena 

It's Greek Night at UMBC! Rep your letters and bring the energy as the Black Student Athlete Alliance and BSU take the court.

Black History Month Discussion Panel - Black History: Under Attack, but yet Unbroken

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

3:30 - 5 PM | The Commons 329

In collaboration with the Department of Africana Studies and the Women's, Gender, and Equity Center, please join them for their Black History Month Discussion Panel titled "Black History: Under Attack, but yet Unbroken." This year's theme aims to highlight the current suppression of Black history and explore how censorship, distortion, and systemic narratives shape collective memory. Be part of an honest discussion to preserve Black history, resist oppression, and reclaim truth for future generations through academia.

Spring semester can be a lot — classes, research, work, life. Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) is offering support groups and skill-building workshops this semester to help you feel grounded, focused, and connected.

Whether you're looking to manage anxiety, strengthen relationships, improve executive functioning, or connect with other grad students, there's a space for you.

This Spring, RIH is offering:
• Anxiety Toolbox workshops to help you understand and manage anxious thoughts
• Executive functioning skill-building workshops focused on time management and organization
• Graduate student support groups to connect in a confidential, supportive space
• Interpersonal and relationship-focused groups
• Healing-centered groups for navigating family challenges

Most groups require a brief initial consultation, while workshops are open to all UMBC students with no intake required.

Spring 2026 | In-person & virtual options available
Learn more, view dates, and register through the RIH myUMBC page or your RetrieverCare portal.

Taking care of your mental health is part of your success — you don't have to do it alone.

UMBC Community,

Please see the dining hours below for Thursday, January 29 and Friday, January 30.

True Grit's Dining Hall

• Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM

• Continental Breakfast: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

• Lunch: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Dinner: 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM

• Late Night: 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM

True Grit's Market

• Open from 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM

Retail Locations

• Chick-fil-A: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Starbucks: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Einstein Bros. Bagels: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

For the most up-to-date dining hours and any additional changes, please visit Dine On Campus.

Thank you!

This January marks the inaugural National Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month, a nationwide initiative led by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at SAMHSA. The month is dedicated to raising awareness about the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments, reducing stigma, and removing barriers to recovery.

Whether you are seeking support, caring for a loved one, or working as a provider, this is an opportunity to learn, share resources, and take action. SAMHSA's Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month toolkit includes free materials such as social media graphics, suggested messaging, virtual backgrounds, and educational resources to help amplify this important message.

Treatment works, and recovery is possible. Join the movement by accessing the engaging with SAMHSA's resources and toolkits and supporting awareness efforts throughout the month.

The library follows all campus closures for inclement weather and other emergencies. Therefore, all due dates will be extended until campus reopens. Any overdue fines for equipment that accrue while campus is closed will be waived. 

Some users may receive automated emails informing them that items are due during the time campus is closed. Please disregard these messages and return the items once the campus reopens. 

Stay safe and warm!

The Global Asias Initiative (GAI) at UMBC is holding a workshop to help support and curate an exhibit of creative works produced by students that relate and help illustrate understandings and relationalities to Asia as understood through a Global Asias framework. In the workshop, students will read and unpack a text written by Tina Chen (Global Asias: Method, Architecture, and Praxis) in order to better understand Global Asias, a theoretical, multidisciplinary framework that brings together the fields of Asian American and Asian Studies. We will work together to create an exhibit of student work that translates and explains Global Asias as an analytical lens to the campus and wider public. 

Students will arrive to the first session with a project they have either completed in a prior class or with a project in mind as well as having read an assigned text on Global Asias. Together with faculty mentors, we will discuss the text and clarify any questions in order to strengthen our collective understanding of the Global Asias framework.

In the second session, students will work to hone their project and work on writing artist statements that explain to a public audience how their piece reflects Global Asias–what Global Asias concept(s) does their piece draw on? How can we see that concept or process illustrated or represented in the piece? 

Participating in this workshop will help strengthen public writing skills, hone reading skills, and is an opportunity you can put on your resume/CV. 

Please make sure to keep available 5/1 for the exhibition install date and 5/4 for the Exhibition Reception.  

Applications are due Wed, February 11, 2026 by 11:59pm.

Application Process:

By 11:59pm on Wed., Feb.11, 2026: Submit responses via the following application form: https://forms.gle/3WBUUEA9NyrC16QU6 

Make sure to include:

• 1-2 sentence description of project 

• 2-3 sentence statement of why you're interested in participating 

WORKSHOP TIMELINE:

Session 1 (Friday 2/27, 12:00-2pm): reading & activity that asks that helps guide the revision of their project and helps them brainstorming their "artist statement"

In between sessions: students send advanced drafts

Session 2 (Friday 4/10, 12:00-2pm): bring workshopped/revised project, share. finalize and create connections between pieces.

(lunch will be provided)

Exhibition Install date: Friday, 5/1

Exhibition Reception: Monday 5/4

PAYMENT DISBURSEMENT:

Participating students will receive a $300 stipend. Receiving the stipend is dependent on completion of both workshop sessions and installing their piece in the exhibition. 

CONTACT INFO:

Please reach out to Dr. Mika Thornburg at mthornburg@umbc.edu, Dr. Tamara Bhalla at tbhalla@umbc.edu or Priya Bhayana at priyab@umbc.edu with any questions.

See original post, here.