This October, we celebrate Black History Month (BHM). This year's theme,听"Reclaiming Narratives",听focuses on correcting inaccuracies and amplifying untold black stories. While this effort should extend beyond just one month, BHM 2024听provides听a unique opportunity for organisations to unite, celebrate black voices, explore the challenges faced by black听people, and consider how we can address these challenges together.听
We are focusing on three objectives for Black History Month 2024 at BU:
- Celebrating contributions听and promoting understanding听
- Inspiring change听
- Encouraging education and reflection.
For each of these themes, we have selected some things you can do to get involved, including events, podcasts to listen to and even how to be part of our Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team (REC-SAT).听
1.听Celebrating contributions听and promoting understanding
Black History Month highlights the significant contributions of black individuals who have shaped the UK鈥檚 history, culture, and society, celebrating achievements that often go unrecognised.听Engaging with black history deepens our understanding of diverse experiences, challenges stereotypes, and fosters a more inclusive and听equitable听environment.听
Black History Month Cultural听Celebration听
Thursday 17 October 2024, 6-8pm听
Hosted by听Sister Tama听with Community Action Network, BCP Council and the NHS,听the听event will feature live music, art听exhibition and stalls from local community groups.听听
Journeys of Excellence: Insights from Black Alumni听
Wednesday 30 October 2024,听1:30-2:30pm听
We will be holding a panel event open to all听students and staff to attend. Listen to the journeys, stories, and lived experiences of a select panel of our alumni. This event provides听an opportunity for learning, inspiration, and reflection.听The panel is听a collaboration听between the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) team,听Fundraising &听Alumni Relations team, and the Race Equality Staff Network.听听
SUBU Black History Month events
Your Students' Union has been working with your Black Students' Officer and the Carribean Society, Society of Nigerian Students and Full-Time Officers to put together a to celebrate and highlight the Black community at BU and locally. You can also visit the to find out about the ways you can be听an ally during Black History Month, and throughout the rest of the year.
2.听Inspiring change
Reflecting on the past helps us address ongoing issues like racial inequality and social injustice, reaffirming our commitment to a future where everyone鈥檚 contributions are valued.听
Race Equality Charter
BU joined听AdvanceHE鈥檚听听in听2016 and received the bronze award in July 2023. The REC aims to improve the representation, experience, and success of minority ethnic students and staff in higher education.听We believe that BU can only reach its full potential when all members of our community, regardless of ethnic background, have equal access to opportunities.听We adopted the Race Equality self-assessment framework as a rigorous and transparent means of understanding and progressing race equality across the university.听As part of this process, a comprehensive Race Equality Action Plan has been developed. Responsibility for the actions is shared across the University, ensuring a coordinated approach to understanding and addressing issues.
We invite students and staff to join the Race Equality Charter Self Assessment team (REC-SAT), which meets quarterly to advance race equality efforts. If you're interested, please contact听Professor Gelareh Roushan听for more details.听
Culture Corner with Elaine and Gloria听- a podcast exploring cultural topics within the BU community
Listen to听听about听the progress of the Race Equality Charter action plan and the Race Equality Network, or听听about the Inclusive Curriculum Evaluation (ICE) project, its origins, and its impact on addressing inequalities and enhancing curriculum inclusivity. The podcast highlights the crucial role of student involvement in the project and its benefits for both BU and the students.听
3.听Encouraging education and reflection
Black History Month is a chance to educate and reflect on how we can actively support inclusivity and diversity in our community.听
There are many barriers to achieving race equity, including a lack of understanding of what听it鈥檚听like to walk in others鈥� shoes and how to create inclusive environments.听Small changes听in behaviour can lead to powerful, long-lasting change. If everyone contributes to making small positive changes, we can collectively create a more inclusive and fair听environment.听
#ItsNotMicro
We鈥檙e听resharing the听听from听. This includes the powerful short film听"All听The听Little Things"听(3:28), written and directed by Meena听Ayittey. The film follows Adae, a young black creative working in an ad agency, as microaggressions gradually undermine his sense of belonging. The film听demonstrates听how small actions can have a profound impact on how others feel and function.听听
Further reading听听
If you would like to learn more about听the issues, history, and discussion around Black History Month, as well as broader issues around race, BU library has curated an听.听
