HBCU Week NOW Day to Kick Off CIAA Tournament Week

Free public film screenings celebrating HBCU culture at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Feb. 24

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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HBCU Week NOW Day will feature free public film screenings celebrating HBCU culture at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Feb. 24, including films, student shorts, and discussions. The event marks the opening of CIAA Tournament week in Baltimore.

Why it matters

HBCU Week NOW Day is part of a larger mission to elevate timely, HBCU-centered storytelling across multiple platforms and honor the enduring impact of Historically Black Colleges & Universities as engines of talent, leadership and cultural excellence.

The details

HBCU Week NOW Day's programming 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 Week NOW Day will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • The event marks the opening of CIAA Tournament week in Baltimore.

The players

Jacqie McWilliams Parker

CIAA Commissioner who will be honored at the event.

Travis E. Mitchell

Senior vice president and chief content officer for Maryland Public Television and founder of HBCU Week NOW.

HBCU Week NOW

A public media partnership honoring Historically Black Colleges & Universities and focused on elevating timely, HBCU-centered storytelling across multiple platforms.

Maryland Public Television

The organization spearheading HBCU Week NOW.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting

A partner and sponsor of HBCU Week NOW.

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What they’re saying

“HBCU storytelling matters because these institutions are among America's most enduring engines of talent, leadership and cultural excellence.”

— Travis E. Mitchell, Senior vice president and chief content officer for Maryland Public Television and founder of HBCU Week NOW (afro.com)

“We invite everyone to come out, enjoy the day with us, and see how you can connect with the HBCU story.”

— Travis E. Mitchell, Senior vice president and chief content officer for Maryland Public Television and founder of HBCU Week NOW (afro.com)

The takeaway

HBCU Week NOW Day is a celebration of the enduring impact and cultural excellence of Historically Black Colleges & Universities, showcasing a diverse array of films, student shorts, and discussions that honor the HBCU experience and its importance in shaping talent, leadership, and community.