January 25, 2026

Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter.

This week’s stories spotlight a powerful Smithsonian exhibition spotlighting HBCU archives, Bethune-Cookman University’s launch of cutting-edge degree programs and the Recording Academy’s announcement of its 2026 honorees celebrating Black music excellence.

National Museum of African American History and Culture To Open Exhibition Featuring Collections From Five HBCUs

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is set to launch a major new exhibition that places historically Black colleges and universities at the center of America’s cultural record. At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs opened on January 16th. The exhibit highlights the extraordinary work of HBCU museums and archives, bringing their collections to the National Mall before traveling nationwide. The exhibition elevates lesser-known stories that reveal how HBCUs have long served as stewards of Black history, knowledge, and creativity.

For more than a century, HBCUs have documented African American life at moments when few other institutions would. Nearly two-thirds of HBCUs house museums, galleries, or archives, preserving histories often excluded from mainstream narratives. This exhibition draws from five institutions—Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University, and Tuskegee University—each known for cultivating artists, scholars, scientists, and cultural leaders while safeguarding invaluable records of Black life.

The exhibition features a striking range of materials, including first editions of Margaret Walker’s Jubilee and For My People, Tuskegee Institute pottery showcasing student craftsmanship, and early scientific journals from Tuskegee researchers that underscore the school’s legacy in agricultural and medical innovation. Visitors will also encounter archival photography by HBCU-trained and staff photographers such as Doris Derby, Chester Higgins, Earlie Hudnall Jr., and P.H. Polk, alongside artwork by John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Robert Pruitt, and Renee Stout. Among the most rare highlights is one of the few known color videos of George Washington Carver, whose work at Tuskegee transformed American agriculture.

At the Vanguard underscores the enduring role of HBCUs as cultural guardians and engines of innovation whose influence extends far beyond their campuses. A collaboration between NMAAHC and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the project is part of the museum’s HBCU History and Culture Access Consortium and is supported by partners including the National Endowment for the Humanities, Google Arts & Culture, Johnson & Johnson, and Southern Company Foundation. After its debut in Washington, the exhibition will travel to at least five locations across the country through 2029, ensuring these stories reach audiences nationwide.

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The Penny Foundation will host The Penny Games: HBCU Debate + Esports Invitational in Birmingham from October 1st–3rd, bringing together students from eight HBCUs, more than 500 local high school students, and over 100 colleges, employers, and civic partners. The three-day event will feature debate and esports competitions, a citywide college fair, and leadership programming designed to connect students to academic, professional, and career opportunities while positioning Birmingham as a growing hub for innovation and talent. With more than $20,000 in student prizes and support from local and national partners, The Penny Games aim to elevate HBCU visibility and invest in the next generation of leaders.

North Carolina authorities seized nearly $860,000 worth of counterfeit merchandise during homecoming festivities at several HBCU campuses, removing fake luxury items, branded apparel, and more than 500 counterfeit plush dolls from vendors and nearby markets. These actions were part of anti-counterfeiting operations aimed at protecting students, fans, and legitimate businesses from unsafe and illegal products.

Bethune-Cookman University has launched “B-CU Futures,” an innovative initiative debuting during the Spring 2026 semester. The HBCU is introducing eight cutting-edge degree programs in fields like Actuarial Science, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Esports and Gaming Administration, Healthcare Administration, and Supply Chain Management, along with a new Healthcare Administration track in its MBA program. These programs are designed to align academic offerings with evolving employer needs and equip students with hands-on learning, applied research, and industry-relevant skills that connect classroom learning to high-demand careers. The effort positions the historically Black university at the forefront of next-generation education and reflects its commitment to preparing graduates to be innovators and leaders in emerging industries.

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culture

The Recording Academy’s fourth annual Recording Academy Honors, presented by the Black Music Collective, will return on January 29, 2026, during GRAMMY® Week, celebrating the remarkable careers of Pharrell Williams, Brandy, and Kirk Franklin with special awards recognizing their enduring influence on music, culture, and community.

Williams will be honored with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award for his artistic achievements and innovation, while Brandy and Franklin will receive the Black Music Icon Award, highlighting their contributions to the industry and inspiration across generations; the event continues the Black Music Collective’s mission to champion Black music creators and leaders.

The Honors ceremony not only spotlights legendary talent but also reinforces the Recording Academy’s broader commitment to inclusion and support for emerging voices, building momentum ahead of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards celebration Sunday, February 8th.

Our editor, Lisa D. Tinsley, would like to thank you for spending part of your day with KISA News Radio.

See you next Sunday.

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