Mark your calendars! Nashville’s 45th annual African American History and Culture Conference is set for February 13, 2026!
NASHVILLE, TN — The upcoming 45th annual Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture will be co-hosted by Tennessee State University along with the Metropolitan Historical Commission. Scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2026, this influential event is part of a long-standing tradition that aims to highlight African American history, scholarship, and cultural expression across Nashville and Tennessee. The conference will be held at the Avon Williams Campus of Tennessee State University, offering attendees the chance to participate either in person or virtually.
This year’s theme, “From Roots to Resilience: Reclaiming Black Journeys, Stories, and Legacies Across Tennessee,” will guide a rich program that includes a variety of presentations focused on the African American experience throughout the state. A total of eight sessions will be led by historians, educators, researchers, and community scholars, blending historical analysis with artistic and cultural perspectives. This approach reflects the conference’s commitment to pairing scholarly work with expressive art and music.
Founded back in 1981, the conference was established to make African American history more accessible to the public at a time when much of that history was overlooked in traditional historical archives. Over the decades, it has evolved into one of the longest-running forums dedicated to African American life and culture in the region. The conference attracts participants from academic institutions, community organizations, and the general public, a testament to its enduring relevance.
One notable outcome of the conference has been the creation of the “Profiles of African Americans in Nashville and Tennessee” series, which provides nearly 200 publications documenting the lives and legacies of significant individuals who have shaped the city and state. The profiles were initially compiled into a book in 1996, and an expanded edition was released in 2021.
Registration for the 2026 conference is priced at $30 for pre-registration and $35 for standard registration, which includes conference materials and lunch for those attending in person. Organizers emphasize that proceeds from the conference help ensure its future success. Attendees are encouraged to secure their spots ahead of time to be part of this vital celebration of African American heritage.
