Black History Month Webinar: CA Superintendent to Interview Astronomer Dr. Gibor Basri | February 6, 2026
- California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is launching a webinar series throughout Black History Month featuring interviews with prominent Black civic leaders.
- The inaugural webinar, scheduled for Friday, February 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., will feature Dr.
- The webinar series is designed to allow students to submit questions in advance, fostering an interactive learning experience.
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is launching a webinar series throughout Black History Month featuring interviews with prominent Black civic leaders. The series aims to provide educational resources for teachers and students, focusing on the contributions of Black Californians to the state and nation’s history.
The inaugural webinar, scheduled for , at 10:30 a.m., will feature Dr. Gibor Basri, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Basri’s career has centered on astrophysics and planetary science, including research into exoplanets for NASA and the naming of stars. He also served as the first Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion at UC Berkeley.
The webinar series is designed to allow students to submit questions in advance, fostering an interactive learning experience. Students can submit questions via tinyurl.com/BHM-Astronomer until , at 4 p.m.
Teachers can register their classrooms to participate via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uLX8v19iQm2jvsjNHiNROA. The sessions will also be available to the public through a live stream on the California Department of Education’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CAEducation.
Superintendent Thurmond’s initiative emphasizes the importance of oral history and highlighting the accomplishments of distinguished Californians within classroom instruction. The series is intended to support educators in incorporating these narratives into their curriculum.
February 2026 is already shaping up to be a busy month with several notable events. Alongside this educational initiative, the month includes Groundhog Day (), Valentine’s Day (), the Super Bowl (), Mardi Gras (), and Presidents’ Day (). February is also designated as Black History Month, aligning with the focus of Superintendent Thurmond’s webinar series.
The Winter Olympics are also scheduled to begin sometime in February 2026, adding to the month’s diverse range of events. The only federal holiday in February is Presidents’ Day, meaning most banks, schools, and the United States Postal Service will be closed on .
Beyond the nationally recognized events, February 2026 also includes National Freedom Day (), Imbolc (), Groundhog Day (), Mardi Gras (), Ash Wednesday (), and a full moon known as the Snow Moon (). A new moon is also scheduled for , and a planetary parade is expected on (specific date not provided).
The focus on Dr. Basri’s work highlights the intersection of scientific exploration and equity. His research into exoplanets – planets orbiting stars other than our sun – contributes to NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon and prepare for future missions beyond. His leadership role as Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion at UC Berkeley demonstrates a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within academia.
In addition to the educational webinar, February 6, 2026, will also see the release of a new episode of the Pinoy Teleserye “Roja,” available for replay online. National Bubble Gum Day, Pay a Compliment Day, National Woman’s Heart Day, and National Give Kids a Smile Day are also observed on .