Celebrate Black History Month
29 Sep 2023
Events and activities this October
This October, colleagues across the University will have the opportunity to recognise and celebrate Black History Month at a variety of events.
This year’s theme ‘Saluting our Sisters’ highlights the crucial role that Black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities in both Great Britain and around the world.
Banji Adewumi, Director of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, said: 'Black history month provides an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments, share learning, and allows us time to reflect on the past, as we seek to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all. This year, we celebrate the incredible contribution that Black women have made to British society and the world, and I invite you all to take part in our programme this October.’
‘I’d also like to remind colleagues that applications for the 100 Black Women Professors Now! programme are open until Monday, 16 October. Please share and encourage colleagues within your area to apply.'
Events
Monday, 30 October
Black History Month Celebration with Women@Manchester
Online, 3 – 4pm
Our speakers will include Cianne Jones from the Women’s Higher Education Network (WHEN) who leads the trailblazing 100 Black Women Professors Now programme. Cianne will share insights into her career journey, personal narratives, and experiences in supporting women's communities;
Dr Cecilia Medupin also shares her story as an African woman with roots in Nigeria, West Africa and, how she has survived as a postgraduate student in Manchester, worked in the UK industry, regulation and, how she is coping in academia. Cecilia will share some advice on what we must all imbibe as women to excel in any environment including academia.
We are also privileged to have Prof. Dawn Edge, our only Black Female Professor and University Academic Lead for Race, Religion and Belief co-chairing this enlightening session with us.
Tuesday, 7 November
Black British History: Postgraduate Take Over with Olivia Wyatt & Renée Landell
Interested in PhD study? An event for students and staff.
University Place 6.210, 2pm
Two exceptional PhD students in Black Studies, Renée Landell and Olivia Wyatt from the University of London will join us to speak about their PhD experience. Their presentations will cover how to apply, what it is like and how to be successful as a PhD. Undergraduate and MA students will have the chance to ask questions and talk to Renée and Olivia over coffee and cake to find out more about their experiences of being a PhD student.
As well as hearing from two experts in the field, the event aims to offer undergraduate and MA students at Manchester, especially Black students, insights into the process of undertaking a PhD, the opportunity to ask questions about academia, including how to apply, the benefits of PhD study and where to find funding sources for postgraduate study.
2pm-3pm: Presentations
Olivia Wyatt, Researching Modern Black British History: My Perspective
Renée Landell, Critical & Creative Readings of the Human & the Nonhuman in Anglophone Caribbean Neo-Slave Narratives
3pm-4pm: Coffee, cake and open discussion with UG and MA students
- Booking not required
Wednesday, 8 November
Under your nose film screening and Q&A
Manchester Museum, 5:30 to 8pm
Hosted by the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and the ALLOUT (LGBT+ Staff Network Group). Network, Under your nose is a fascinating documentary set against the backdrop of 1980s politics during the rise of Thatcherism, and HIV, they started their journey...Under Your Nose is a documentary dedication to those trailblazers who working in hostile and often dangerous times, offered hope and a lifeline to many others.
Wednesday, 15 November
Black History Month Film screening
Manchester Museum, 6pm - late
Film screening and discussion about the Dunbar Festival in Nigeria and some of the West African collections
About Black History Month
Black History month is an annual celebration of the achievements made by Black people. In the United Kingdom Black History month is celebrated in the month of October. It is used as a time to give appreciation and recognition of the positive contributions that Black people have made to British Society and Internationally. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments, share learning, and allows us time to reflect on the past, whilst being proud of our culture and identity.
BAME Network Co-Chairs, Sameena Rashid and Barinur Rashid said: ‘The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network aims to promote race equality through active involvement and consultation on the University's strategy, policies and guidance on race equality, as well as give colleagues the chance to connect and share experiences about working at the University.’
To join the UoM BAME staff network, please email BAME.CHAIRS@manchester.ac.uk.
More information