February 19, 2026: Afro-engaged

There’s only 9 days left of February, so it’s time to really double down before we get back to reminding folx that every month is black history month. And we’ll start just north of W.E.B du Bois’ birthplace at an organization that he co-founded. The NAACP still looms large in black culture and its Berkshires chapter is being revitalized through a new office to house their archives of local black history and efforts to improve the community. Local chapter president Dennis Powell speaks about the importance of the organization, past and present. We’ll also encourage you to engage with the full breadth of the diaspora. Elms college is holding its 9th Black Experience Summit tomorrow afternoon on Feb 20th, seeking to diversify our collective understanding through the work of local, regional, and national notables. President Dr. Harry Dumay talks about the event, its legacy at the college, and the place of faith in the keeping of history. And our weekly chat with congressman Jim McGovern explores the partial government shutdown and possible social media surveillance, the Save Act, his end hunger tour and memories of the late Jesse Jackson.