Elgin Community College celebrates Black History Month with ‘Centuries of Legacy’ events
Elgin Community College (ECC) will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with events centered on the 2026 theme, “100 Years of Celebrations, Centuries of Legacy.”
“This is the 100th year of Black History Month, and our theme reflects that milestone,” said Erik Enders, ECC student life coordinator for student equity. “We try to weave the theme into all of the events we plan.”
Each year, the Black History Month planning committee collaborates with MAGIC (Multicultural and Global Affairs/Global Initiatives Committee) to present a range of educational and cultural programming. One of the most anticipated events every year is the closing celebration, now known as “Sneaker Ball.”
“For years, it was called the African Ball, and last year we switched to make it a Sneaker Ball,” Enders said. “It is the only ticketed event during Black History Month. We feature dancers, we’ll have someone sing, do storytelling, or spoken word. We always have a DJ, and once programming is done, we dance and have fun.”
Attendees are encouraged to wear their own sneakers. In past years, students have “blinged out” their shoes for the event, or come wearing their basketball kicks. In recent years, the Sneaker Ball has also included a student recognition component. Faculty are invited to nominate Black students who demonstrate excellence and go above and beyond in their coursework.
Black History Month events are open to the public, with the exception of the Black Student Connection event. ECC is located at 1700 Spartan Drive in Elgin. For more information, contact the Office of Student Life at (847) 214-7079 or studentlife@elgin.edu.
Event lineup
• Black Student Connection & Game Night (students only): 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, and Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Jobe Lounge. This event connects Black ECC students with college resources, faculty, and staff. Enjoy food, build community, and experience game night like only we can.
• “Nurturing Our Legacy: Mind, Body, and Community”: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. “Nurturing Our Legacy” brings together conversations and activities that honor the interconnectedness of mental, physical, and communal health in the Black community, inviting participants to engage in healing as both a personal and collective practice.
• “Reimagining Genius: A Black Inventor's Pitch Experience”: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. Join an interactive pitch experience where students are invited to honor the Black inventors by reimagining their creations as modern solutions, building entrepreneurial skills, and sharing bold ideas with a live audience.
• “The Anatomy of a Bar: Hip-Hop Lyric Writing 101 “: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19. Discover how to tell powerful stories through rap and spoken word, as you explore the art of lyricism, rhythm, and wordplay to bring your own narratives to life.
• MAGIC Event — A Day Without an Immigrant Part 2: 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Building B, Rooms 180-181. A Day Without an Immigrant invites participants to gain insight into the vital impact of immigrants on American history while inspiring action to promote belonging and inclusion in our schools, workplaces, and broader community.
• “Laced in Legacy” Sneaker Ball 2026: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, in the Jobe Lounge. Join a celebration honoring 100 years of Black achievement, where community, culture, and style unite to pay tribute to the legacy that continues to inspire generations. This is a ticketed event. Ticket information to follow.