Having recently surpassed the historic milestone of over 500,000 visitors since its grand opening, June 2023, the International African American Museum (IAAM) continues to make its impact as a global destination for sharing the untold stories of the African American and African Diaspora journey. Located at Gadsden’s Wharf, the site where nearly half of all enslaved Africans brought to North America arrived, IAAM enters February 2026 with a robust slate of programming dedicated to Black History Month.
2026 is a landmark year, marking the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, a tradition founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926. In honor of this centennial, IAAM’s February calendar focuses on the themes of "Makers, Memory, and Ancestry," highlighted by the debut of a major new special exhibition that celebrates the ingenuity and resilience of the African Diaspora.
WHAT’S AHEAD AT IAAM:
Throughout this milestone month, the museum operates under the mantra "IAAM Seasoned." This theme reflects a museum that has matured into its role as a premier cultural institution, seasoned by the half a million visitors who have experienced the many untold stories within its walls and the rich, complex history it preserves. Like the culinary traditions of the Diaspora, "IAAM Seasoned" represents the depth, flavor, and wisdom gained through time, experience, and the continuous honoring of our ancestors. This culinary connection is further brought to life through upcoming signature events like Dine on a Mat in March with Charleston Wine + Food (CHSWF), where communal eating and storytelling will merge to honor ancestral traditions through the very flavors that sustained the quest for freedom.
FEBRUARY 2026 PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
Young Griots (Youth & Family Program)
- Every Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
- Inspired by the West African tradition of oral history, this program empowers young people to become "Griots" through storytelling workshops and museum exploration. Held in our Studio Time room, this session features leading participants through the creation of Abayomi Dolls, dolls originating from the Yoruba culture in West Africa. Participants can make the doll completely or dress up ready-made dolls instead. This program is included with your museum admission ticket!
Getting Started with Genealogy (Daily Sessions)
- Every Wednesday to Friday | 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM
- Led by our Center for Family History (CFH), these daily sessions offer foundational tools for visitors looking to trace their ancestral lineages.
"from nothing, Something: An Evening of Makers, Memory, & Art"
- Friday, Feb. 6 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- An exclusive evening of dialogue and discovery preceding the opening of IAAM’s newest special exhibition “middle of somewhere: the art and the legacy of Black Southern makers.”
Special Exhibition Debut: middle of somewhere: the art and the legacy of Black Southern makers
- Opening to the public on Saturday, Feb. 7
- Curated by IAAM’s Director of Curatorial and Special Exhibition Martina M. Morale, this special exhibition reframes the rural South as a vital site of innovation. It features works from historical masters like David Drake and Philip Simmons alongside contemporary visionaries.
African American Veterans: From the Revolution to World Wars | CFH Podcast
- Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- A live podcast recording exploring the heroic contributions of Black service members throughout American history.
Land, Liberty & Legacy: African American Land Ownership and Independence | CFH Podcast
- Saturday, Feb. 14 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- A live podcast recording giving deep dive into the history of land ownership as a primary tool for African American autonomy.
Remembrance: Vincent Brown on Memory, History, & Slavery
- Friday, Feb. 20 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Renowned historian Vincent Brown joins IAAM for a film screening and moderated discussion on how the memory of the past informs our present identity.
Siege & Freedom: Black and Native Stories from Revolutionary South Carolina | CFH Podcast
- Saturday, Feb. 21 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- A live podcast recording exploring the intersectional resistance of Black and Indigenous communities during the American Revolution.
Behind the Mic and the Family Tree with Kenyatta Berry | CFH Podcast
- Saturday, Feb. 28 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- A live podcast that digs deep into personal stories of African American triumph, legacy, and land – and what it really means to own your story.
Awakening of the Ancestors: A Journey of Spirit, Song & Soul
- Saturday, Feb. 28 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- A signature program of IAAM’s Faith-Based Education and Engagement, this will be a powerful musical finale to Black History Month, celebrating the spiritual and cultural through-lines of the African Diaspora. The evening will feature the Grammy Award winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness, whose dynamic blend of gospel, R&B, soul, and African rhythms embodies both ancestral memory and contemporary creativity.
Following Black History Month, IAAM will look forward to Women's History Month in March. For registration links and the latest updates on upcoming programs, visit iaamuseum.org/events.