The countdown has begun for one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year. On February 13, 2026, organizers will once again partner with Zooniverse, the people-powered crowdsourcing platform, to transcribe the historic Colored Conventions—a pivotal archive of 19th-century African American political organizing.

This year’s Douglass Day theme, “All Rights for All: Equality and the Colored Conventions Movement,” invites participants to explore the ongoing struggles for citizenship, equality, and belonging embedded within these landmark documents. The initiative encourages reflection on the progress made since the Colored Conventions era and the work still needed to secure and preserve civil rights today.

In the months leading up to February, a series of newsletters will offer readers behind-the-scenes insights into the archival materials, an introduction to the Zooniverse transcription platform, and practical ways to participate in the 2026 transcribe-a-thon.

Registration for Douglass Day 2026 is now open. Participants are also encouraged to take part in civic engagement by ensuring their voter registration is up to date.