Maryland Federal Leaders Sponsor Bill to Protect Black History

February 13, 2026

Democratic legislators Senator Angela Alsobrooks and Representative Kweisi Mfume from Maryland have introduced the National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026 in response to what they characterize as Republican attempts to diminish Black history education. The proposed legislation would create a 12-member advisory council operating under the National Endowment for the Humanities, comprised of presidential appointees with expertise in African American history and culture who would require Senate confirmation. This council would be responsible for collecting data, evaluating NEH programs, providing policy guidance, and producing yearly reports to strengthen federal initiatives supporting African American historical and cultural preservation.

Who is affected

African Americans whose history and culture would be preserved and promoted
Future generations who would benefit from preserved historical truth
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which would house the advisory council
Private citizens with expertise in African American history and culture who could serve on the council
Students and educators who rely on accurate Black history education
Organizations including the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and the Black Heritage Council

What action is being taken

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and Rep. Kweisi Mfume are sponsoring legislation to establish the National Council on African American History and Culture
Multiple Democratic senators (Chris Van Hollen, Jacky Rosen, Adam Schiff, Cory Booker, and Ron Wyden) are co-sponsoring the legislation

Why it matters

This legislation matters because the sponsors believe African American history is under threat of being censored, erased, or rewritten by the current administration and national Republicans. Preserving and promoting Black history is essential both for preventing past mistakes from being repeated and for providing inspiration to communities. African American history is integral to American history itself, and protecting its accurate representation ensures future generations have access to truthful accounts of the nation's founding and development. The bill serves as a safeguard against efforts to diminish or eliminate Black historical narratives from the national discourse.

What's next

The council, if established, would be responsible for:
Gathering data on African American history and culture
Assessing NEH programming related to African American history
Making policy recommendations to enhance federal support
Submitting annual reports to guide preservation and celebration efforts
Council members would be appointed by the president with Senate confirmation

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer