Staff reports
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, USCB will host “African American History Month 2026: Passport to Freedom 250,” a month-long series highlighting 250 years of African American history, heritage, and cultural impact across the South Carolina Lowcountry.
This event series will include on-campus and off-campus events for students, faculty, staff and the community. The university invites the community to engage with a rich tapestry of historic sites, stories, and legacies that have shaped the region and the nation.
At the heart of the series is a 25-site “Passport to Freedom” booklet, designed to guide participants through significant local African American landmarks — from Historic Mitchellville Freedom Park and the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District to the Harriet Tubman & Robert Smalls Monuments, the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, and others. Participants can visit sites in-person or virtually, collecting commemorative stamps, taking selfies if the location is not staffed, and reflecting on prompts throughout the booklet.
The series will open with two kickoff events. Attendees can pick up their passports, learn about the featured sites, and enjoy a community reception co-hosted by Najmah Thomas, coordinator of USCB’s African American Studies program.
— Monday, Feb. 2, 6 to 7 p.m. — Beaufort Campus, Newcastle Building (2nd Floor Meeting Room)
— Tuesday, Feb. 3, 6 to 7 p.m. — Bluffton Campus, Hargray Lobby
Passports are also available for students, faculty, staff and the public at USCB’s Bluffton Campus Library and Beaufort Campus Library. Library staff will stamp passports for visits to sites where participants took selfies or screenshots of virtual visits.
The month-long celebration concludes with events recognizing participants and awarding prizes to students who complete the highest number of site visits.
— Thursday, Feb. 26, 6 to 7 p.m. — Bluffton Campus, Hargray Lobby
— Friday, Feb. 27, 6 to 7 p.m. — Beaufort Campus, Newcastle Building (2nd Floor Meeting Room)
USCB invites the entire Lowcountry community to join in this meaningful journey of remembrance, learning, and celebration.
More information, including full site descriptions and stamp instructions, is available at:
