The Center for Black Studies

02/18/2026

Baked into American Cuisine: The Story of James Hemings and Community Mac and Cheese Bake-Off
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of history, heritage, and flavor as we honor one of America’s true—yet long overlooked—culinary founding fathers: James Hemings.

📅 Saturday, February 21st at 1 p.m.
📍 Historic Eureka School, 410 East 6th Street

🎬 This special event features a screening of James Hemings: Ghost in America's Kitchen, a powerful documentary exploring the life, brilliance, and erasure of the French-trained chef whose innovations helped shape what we know today as American cuisine.
Enslaved and trained in the kitchens of France, Hemings blended Virginian, French, and African influences to create dishes that became American staples—including the beloved macaroni and cheese.

🧀 Local mac and cheese connoisseurs will honor his legacy by showcasing their best mac and cheese recipes in our Mac and Cheese Bake-Off. Some may be classic, creative, or boldly unconventional. Come learn, taste, and celebrate the rich culinary traditions woven into the American story.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Community Bank and community partners: Buschman Street Café USM School of Humanities and The Center for Black Studies and We Are Thriving, Inc.

02/02/2026

Celebrate 100 years of Black History Month with the Center this Spring! We are located in EHH 242 on Mondays from 8AM to 3PM. We’d love to see you guys to chat, hang, or answer any questions about the Center. 🖤💛

02/01/2026

In 1925, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson planned the inaugural week-long observance of Black history, he could have hardly anticipated the imprint he would leave on the world. In February 2026, in honor of the 100th anniversary of Carter G. Woodson’s celebration of Black History Week - the precursor for Black History Month, the Sixth Street Museum District will adopt the national theme: “A Century of Black History Commemorations” with a special focus on the culinary experience – Cooking Up History! Join us as we honor this history—one plate, one story, and one shared moment at a time. 🥘🍛

FEATURED EVENTS
• Where Smoke Meets Soul: Leatha’s Bar-B-Que and the Community It Built
- February 5-April 25
- Thursdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Saturdays, Noon-2 p.m.
- Historic Eureka School, 410 East 6th Street

• Storytime with a Soldier
- February 6th at 10 a.m.
- African American Military History Museum, 305 East 6th Street

• Coming to the Table – A Community Culinary Celebration
- February 12th at 6 p.m.
- Historic Eureka School, 410 East 6th Street
The cost is $5. Registration is required, and space is limited — reserve your seat today!

• Carried by Courage, Seasoned by History: The Legacy of John Seagraves
- February 19th at 5:30 p.m.
- African American Military History Museum, 305 East Sixth Street

• Storytime with a Soldier
- February 20th at 10 a.m.
- African American Military History Museum, 305 East 6th Street

• Baked into American Cuisine: The Story of James Hemings Featuring a Community Mac & Cheese Bake-Off!
– Saturday, February 21st at 1 p.m.
- Historic Eureka School, 410 East 6th Street

All Black History Month events are open to the public. Some events require registration and a fee. To learn more about these events and to register call 601.450.1942 or visit https://sixthstreetmuseumdistrict.com/events/black-history-month/

The Black History Month events are sponsored by Community Bank and in partnership with The University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Black Studies and School of Humanities and We Are Thriving, Inc.

02/01/2026

What a way to spend the first day of Black History Month! 😆

Let’s start Black History Month off on a great note! 💛🖤

01/27/2026

Let’s start Black History Month off on a great note! 💛🖤

01/22/2026

🖤 💛

10/15/2025

Come join us at the Historic Eureka School today at 11AM! 💛

We HAPPILY invite our golden eagles and the Hattiesburg community to our annual Clyde Kennard lecture of the 2025-2026 academic year! The Center is less than a week away, and we hope to see you guys there. 💛 🦅

10/14/2025

Today kicks it all off! 🤩

We HAPPILY invite our golden eagles and the Hattiesburg community to our annual Clyde Kennard lecture of the 2025-2026 academic year! The Center is less than a week away, and we hope to see you guys there. 💛 🦅

10/13/2025

Historians and community members: Next Tuesday and Wednesday, Dr. Imani Perry will be with us to discuss her book *Black in Blues.* And at the midday event at the Eureka School on Wednesday, there will be lunch served and free books for students who attend!

10/09/2025

We HAPPILY invite our golden eagles and the Hattiesburg community to our annual Clyde Kennard lecture of the 2025-2026 academic year! The Center is less than a week away, and we hope to see you guys there. 💛 🦅

06/12/2025

Never forget our history!

🎉 Honoring the Life of Clyde Kennard

A Korean War veteran and a true civil rights hero was born . Today we remember and celebrate Clyde Kennard!

In the 1950s, Mr. Kennard attempted to enroll several times at the all-white Southern College (now The University of Southern Mississippi). Because of his efforts, he was wrongly arrested and later passed from health issues shortly after his release from prison. His courage and sacrifice played a major role in the eventual integration of The University of Southern Mississippi fifteen years later.

He’s honored on the Generations Strong Wall at the historic Eureka School as someone who stood firm for what was right, even when the odds were against him.



This image is courtesy of Mississippi Public Broadcasting.