On February 25th, FirstService Residential associates gathered in the Mango Cafe at South Region HQ to commemorate Black History Month 2026 and this year’s national theme set by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”
This activation transformed the space into a museum‑style experience featuring a 100-year journey of innovation across culture, media, science, leadership, and creative expression. Through curated displays and storytelling, associates were invited to explore how intentional remembrance and celebration have elevated the contributions of Black Innovators and shaped global progress over the past century.
After FirstCall and a unified reading of “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou by a small group of associates we kicked off our event. The activation included decade‑themed boards designed by members of our Engagement Committee. Each member selected a decade from the past 100 years (1926-2026) and dedicated their board to milestone moments in culture and innovation from that era spotlighting influential leaders, groundbreaking achievements, and cultural movements that helped define the decade.
To further honor the richness of Black Innovator’s cultural contributions, we curated a display celebrating 100 years of art, culture, and music, showcasing iconic Black artists, their creative works, and a section on Black beauty as an expression of culture and identity. This highlighted the significant impact fashion, hair, nails, and the everyday tools have had on pop-culture through self‑expression, creativity, and community pride.
This activation served as both a celebration and a moment of collective reflection honoring the legacy of Black innovators while inspiring continued learning and appreciation beyond Black History Month.
Thank you to all who participated and helped make this meaningful milestone a shared and memorable experience.
