Community

Civil War Era African American History Exhibit
July 18 – September 12
Hosted by the Plano African American Museum in collaboration with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)

Step into a powerful exploration of African American history during the Civil War era through this compelling exhibit, War and Peace on the Rio Grande: 1861–1867. This exhibition uncovers the often-overlooked stories of African American soldiers, civilians, and communities in the borderlands of Texas and Mexico.

Developed by UTRGV’s Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS), the exhibit presents rare photographs, historical documents, and archaeological insights that bring to life the experiences of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) and the Black presence along the Rio Grande during a transformative time in American history.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with history that shaped our region—and our nation.

📍 Location: Plano African American Museum (900 13th Street, Plano, TX 75074)
📅 Dates: July 18 – September 12
🎓 Presented by: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley CHAPS Program

Join us for the 7th Annual Scholarship Bootcamp, hosted by the Plano Community Forum and funded by Walmart and Atmos Energy! This FREE workshop is designed to help students and families develop winning strategies to secure scholarships and reduce the burden of college costs.

Led by Gabrielle McCormick, founder of Scholarship Informer—who has personally earned nearly $200,000 in scholarships from bachelor’s through doctoral degrees—this interactive session will empower attendees to:

• Develop a strategy to win scholarships

• Identify the best-fit scholarship opportunities

• Craft competitive applications quickly

• Plan effectively for the school year ahead

📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025
🕘 9:00 – 11:00 AM
📍 Williams High School Auditorium
1818 18th Street, Plano, TX 75074

Don’t miss this chance to gain practical tools and insider knowledge that could lead to thousands of dollars in scholarship awards—helping students graduate with NO student debt.

👉 Scholarship Bootcamp - September 20, 2025

For more information, contact the Plano Community Forum at info@planocf.com

Join us for an exciting event celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Black-owned businesses!

📅 Date: February 22, 2025
⏰ Time: 10 AM - 3 PM
📍 Location: 1188 West Broad St., Mansfield, TX 76063

Highlights:

• Meet with admissions and financial aid counselors from HBCUs across the country
• On-the-spot scholarships and admissions (bring your transcripts and test scores!)
• Engaging information sessions
• Divine 9 Greeks representation
• Prize giveaways

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow!

2025 Black History Month Essay Contest – Submissions Now Open!

We’re excited to announce that submissions are now open for the 2025 Black History Month Essay Contest! This year’s theme, “Consequential Beats: Exploring the Role of Music in the Fight for Social Justice,” invites students to dive into the powerful connection between music and social justice movements throughout history.

Eligibility

This contest is open to current 9th-grade male students in the Dallas Metroplex.

Prizes

• 1st Place: $500 monetary award
• 2nd Place: $250 monetary award

Submission Deadline

All essays must be submitted by February 14, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST.

How to Participate

Encourage eligible students to participate and share their perspectives through this inspiring contest.

For complete rules, prizes, and submission details, visit: https://dfwsankofa.org/programs/black-history-month-essay-contest/

Let’s celebrate Black History Month by amplifying young voices and their creative reflections on the role of music in social justice!