Arlington, Va. (Feb. 18, 2026) – Black History Month offers more than a moment of remembrance. It invites us to reflect on how the civil rights movement continues to shape the nation that America is still becoming. The struggle for equality did more than change laws; it broadened our understanding of which groups are fully represented in American democracy. Each February reminds us that progress is not only something we commemorate but also something we are called to carry forward in our daily civic life.
Arlington, Va. (Feb. 17, 2026) – ECDC honors the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson, remembered as a transformative civil rights leader whose life and work reshaped American politics and expanded the boundaries of democratic participation. Through his historic presidential campaigns and decades of activism, Jackson elevated the voices of those too often excluded from power and championed a vision of multiracial coalition-building that continues to influence public life.
Arlington, Va. (Feb. 11, 2026) – ECDC is deeply saddened by the passing of The Honorable William T. Newman, Jr., a trailblazing public servant and steadfast advocate for justice. Throughout his distinguished career — from breaking barriers as the first African American elected to the Arlington County Board — to his decades of leadership on Virginia’s 17th Judicial Circuit — Judge Newman’s commitment to fairness, inclusion, and civic life enriched countless individuals and strengthened our community’s fabric.