Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies

In June 1979, a small group of music industry insiders lobbied President Jimmy Carter to officially recognize Black Music Month.

Black musicians have driven major cultural innovations that are often misunderstood today. For example, while the banjo is widely perceived as an instrument of white Appalachia, its origins and development are deeply rooted in Black culture.

Let's celebrate the Black creators who shaped the American soundscape!

Join us June 20 as Lexington honors the life and legacy of Robert Charles O’Hara Benjamin through the dedication of Lexington’s first Equal Justice Initiative Community Remembrance Project.

The ceremony will include a historical marker dedication and soil collection honoring Mr. Benjamin, a lawyer, journalist, poet, minister, educator and advocate for Black voting rights. He was murdered in Lexington in 1900 because of his advocacy.

🗓️ Saturday, June 20, 2026
🕓️ 4pm
📍 Gatton Park on the Town Branch Main Stage

The event is open to all community members. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and stay for SoulFeast Week festivities at Gatton Park until 10pm.

🔗 Learn more at SoulfeastWeek.com.

CIBS is hiring again! We are continuing our partnership with the Kentucky Room at the Lexington Public Library and looking for an undergraduate Intern for the '26-'27 school year. Please share!

Kentucky Room Student Intern The Intern will work with archival materials related to Black Studies in the Kentucky Room. The Intern must agree to a criminal background check and attend the library’s new employee orientation. Interns must follow the library’s dress code and behave professionally while working. The Intern’s...

Tonight!

TOMORROW NIGHT! Join us as we explore Perfect Black by Crystal Wilkinson on Monday May 11th from 6:00 —7:00 PM on Zoom. The first 10 to register will receive a free copy of the book. Haven't read it? No worries, join us for an engaging conversation.

Sign up here: https://ow.ly/T6fX50YUIKv

Join us as we explore Perfect Black by Crystal Wilkinson on Monday May 11th from 6:00—7:00 PM on Zoom. The first 10 to register will receive a free copy of the book. Haven't read it? No worries, join us for an engaging conversation.

Sign up here: https://ow.ly/T6fX50YUIKv

🎉 We're thrilled to share that University of Kentucky Libraries has selected award-winning author Crystal Wilkinson as the 2026 recipient of the UK Libraries Medallion for Intellectual Achievement—one of UK’s most prestigious honors.

Wilkinson will be presented with the medallion at the UK Libraries annual Spring Celebration, held at William T. Young Library on Thursday, May 14, with the awards ceremony beginning at 6 PM. https://bit.ly/4cVeMm3

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