February 4, 2026
Reimagine Black Futures during the Age of Authoritarianism One Hundred Years of Celebrating Black History
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm • Hayes Hall - 403
Forum I Panelists, February 4, 2026: Dr. Lisa K. Bates (Portland State University), Dr. Prentiss Dantzler (University of Toronto), Dr. Henry-Louis Taylor, Jr. (UB School of Architecture and Planning), and Jamal B. Williams (UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences).
The 2026 Black History Month program marks 100 years of celebrating Black History by reflecting on the long struggle for freedom at a moment when that struggle is threatened by a new danger—racist authoritarianism. Grounded in the Black Radical Tradition, this program seeks to understand how racial capitalism operating within an authoritarian framework is underdeveloping Black neighborhoods and undermining the health and social well-being of people of African descent in the United States. Its purpose is to understand how these forces are constraining the Black freedom struggle, to discuss strategies for fighting back, and to reimagine a Black future where people of African descent live in a nation grounded in radical democracy, anti-racism, and socioeconomic justice.
There will be two panels, both of which will explore the following questions: What does Black freedom look like? How does racist authoritarianism threaten people of African descent in the United States? How should Black people fight back in the age of racist authoritarianism?
Scholars in urban planning, sociology, social welfare, and health will examine the dangers posed by racist authoritarianism, discuss strategies for fighting back, and reimagine a Black future in which people of African descent live in a nation grounded in radical democracy, anti-racism, and socioeconomic justice.
Panelists:
Dr. Henry-Louis Taylor, Jr., UB School of Architecture and Planning
Dr. Lisa K. Bates, Portland State University
Dr. Prentiss Dantzler, University of Toronto
Dr. Jamal B. Williams, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Moderator/Facilitator:
Dr. Keith A. Alford, Dean and Professor, UB School of Social Work
The School of Architecture and Planning is an AIA CES Approved Provider. This course is AIA CES Registered and approved for 2 Learning Unit (LU) | Health Safety and Welfare Unit (HSW)
Former and current students will discuss the role of the School of Architecture and Planning in preparing them to resist racist authoritarianism and build a more democratic and just nation in which Black people are truly free.
Panelists:
Dr. Enjoli Hall, Master of Urban Planning, Class of 2017
DaMante’ Curry, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Class of 2019; Master of Science in Real Estate Development, Class of 2026
Jillian Daniels, Master of Architecture, Class of 2028
Moderator/Facilitator:
Dr. Henry-Louis Taylor, Jr., UB School of Architecture and Planning
Forum II Panelists, February 25, 2026: DaMante’ Curry (MSRED '26), Enjoli Hall (MUP '17), and Jillian Daniels (MArch '28)