EVENT OVERVIEW:
On Friday, February 13, 2026, join Tennessee State University’s College of Liberal Arts and the Metropolitan Historical Commission for the 45th Annual Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture (NCAAHC), a dynamic celebration of the contributions of African Americans to Nashville and Tennessee history. For over four decades, this award-winning conference has brought together historians, students, educators, community leaders, and others interested in African American history and culture.
This year's conference will be held at the Tennessee State University's Avon Williams campus (virtual attendance option also available) and is packed with many new presenters, engaging sessions, and talented entertainers. Our theme this year is “From Roots to Resilience: Reclaiming Black Journeys, Stories, and Legacies Across Tennessee."
Attendees will enjoy eight sessions with distinguished historians, researchers, authors and others with historical ties to Tennessee. The program also includes musical entertainment from two celebrated local ensembles. The registration fee covers access to the event and helps ensure that the conference continues for future generations. Registration is now open. We hope you will join us at the 45th annual Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture!
For more information about the conference, including archives and speaker bios, visit www.NCAAHC.org.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS:
1. In-person attendance:
$30 pre-registration (thru January 31)
$35 registration (February 1-11)
$20 students (thru February 11, must show student ID upon entry)
Onsite registration available at the door with payment by card only (no checks/cash).
This ticket includes access to the full-day event, catered lunch, parking pass, printed and digital copies of conference materials (program and profiles), and post-event link to conference video recording. Digital conference materials will be provided via email prior to the event. Parking passes will be emailed prior to the event and also available for pickup on-site upon entry. Your receipt is your ticket for entry.
2. Virtual attendance: $20
This ticket includes virtual access to the full-day event, digital copies of conference materials (program and profiles), and post-event link to conference video recording. Prior to the event, registrants will be provided with digital conference materials and an access link to watch the live event via Webex.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAM:
8:30AM Registration begins
9:00AM Opening Remarks
Scarlett Miles, Metropolitan Historical Commission
Linda T. Wynn, conference co-founder and co-chair, Tennessee Historical Commission
9:25AM Searching for the Enslaved: Research into the Enslaved Families at Sunnyside in Nashville, Dr. Tara Mitchell Mielnik, Cumberland University
9:50AM Stories in Stone: Documenting the Enslaved Workers at the Tennessee State Capitol, Jeff Sellers, Tennessee State Museum
10:15AM BREAK
10:45AM Promise Land: From the Fiery Furnace to the Promise Land, Dr. Learotha Williams, Jr. and Serina K. Gilbert, Promise Land Heritage Association
11:10AM Zora’s Sojourn in Tennessee, Glenda Alvin, Tennessee State University
11:35AM Performance #1: W. Crimm Singers, ensemble-in-residence, Tennessee State University
12:00PM LUNCH (provided)
1:30PM Remarks, Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis, Dean of College of Liberal Arts, Tennessee State University
1:35PM The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers, Cheryl McKissack Daniel, McKissack & McKissack
2:00PM A White Southern Church (Mis)remembers Slavery: Truth and Fiction in the 1929 Centennial History of Christ Church, Dr. Daniel Schafer, Belmont University
2:25PM Performance #2: MD and Cobalt Blue
2:50PM Come As You Are, Hoods Not Required: The 1942 Lynching of James Edward Person in Edgar County, Illinois, Renatto V. Carr, McKendree University
3:15PM The Pearl High Experience: Something Money Cannot Buy, Rev. Troy Merritt, St. Paul A.M.E. Church
3:40PM Closing remarks, Dr. Learotha Williams, Jr., conference co-chair, Tennessee State University
