UCL marks Black History Month 2024

Foreword from Adwoa Darko, Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (Behaviour & Culture Change)

I love October. Not only because I am partial to any and everything pumpkin spice; October marks Black History Month in the UK. First organised in 1987 by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, a Ghanaian refugee, the celebration intends to shine a spotlight on Black culture and the many contributions of African and Caribbean people to British society. 
 
This year’s theme ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, is a reminder that Black History Month is not only about reflecting on our past; it’s about taking back ownership of the stories that define our culture, our identities, what it means to be Black in Britain. For too long, ‘Black History’ within Western education has been overlooked, oversimplified and filled with inaccuracies. ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ feels like a rallying cry for Black people across the diaspora to become narrators of our own novels. The Black experience is far from monolithic, and it must be ensured that *all* our voices are amplified, recognised and importantly, celebrated. 

As we embark on the new academic year, the events of this summer still weigh heavily on the hearts of racialised communities in Britain. The racist and Islamophobic riots served as a visceral, heartbreaking reminder of the hatred and systemic racism that still pervades through our society. Within Higher Education, the ‘wicked problem’ of the racialised awarding gap still exists, only 0.2% of professors in the UK are Black women and recent polling commissioned by UUK found that 25% of students from an ‘ethnic minority’ background had experienced some form of racial harassment. 

It is important that within our UCL community, we feel a collective responsibility for tackling racism and challenging harmful narratives about minoritised communities. I look forward to celebrating Black History at UCL this month and beyond. 

Marking Black History Month at UCL

Taking place annually since 1987, Black History Month is a nationwide celebration of Black people’s contributions to British society throughout history. This year’s theme, ‘Reclaiming Narratives,’ invites us to reflect on and correct historical inaccuracies while highlighting the untold achievements and complexity of Black heritage, both within the UK and more globally abroad.

Various events and activities are taking place at UCL throughout October in celebration of Black History Month. Scroll down to discover our latest additions – plus keep checking back as more are announced in the coming weeks!

Running an event that you’d like us to add here? Please get in touch at internalcommunications@ucl.ac.uk.

Book recommendations

UCL Libraries are inviting staff, students and community members to contribute to a curated list of essential book recommendations for Black History Month.

Whether it's a novel that illuminates untold stories or a powerful work of non-fiction, we want to hear about the books that have made a lasting impact on you. Send in your recommendations to us here!

Events

3 October 2024, 5–5.45pm: TeamUCL Black History Month Workshop

A campaign workshop for TeamUCL Sports Clubs to discuss Black History Month, specifically initiatives, programmes or events that they would like to deliver. 

8 October 2024, 6–8pm: Book launch: Lifework

A book launch for Lifework, which, offering approaches across art history, literary theory, feminist, Black, trans, and queer studies, takes the work of art and the process of artmaking as starting points for examining what a 'lifework' might constitute.

10 October 2024, 5–6.30pm: Britain and the aftermath of Empire

Join UCL IIPP in conversation with Dr Kojo Koram, author of 'Uncommon Wealth' – which accounts how buried decisions of decades past are ravaging Britain today.

14 October 2024, 5–6.30pm: Caribbean Journeys and Colonial Legacies: a reading of Ocean Stirrings by Merle Collins

The third instalment in the Speaker Series of the Centre for the Study of Legacies of British Slavery, and honouring one of UCL History’s most distinguished graduates – the Guyanese historian Elsa V. Goveia.

16 October 2024, 5–6.30pm: On the Humanity and Inhumanity of Data

Join Professor Alex Gil for this public talk, hosted by the UCL Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery.

24 October 2024, 5–6.30pm: Book Launch of Black Arsenal

Discover how Arsenal Football Club has become central to modern Black identity by celebrating the launch of a stunning new book by Dr Clive Chijoke Nwonka, Associate Professor at UCL.

More information

• Black History Month website 
• See the Library Liberating the Collections group's Black Studies subject guide – an ongoing resource to highlight Black scholarship in UCL Library's collections. 
• UCL History chats to Dr Brahima Kaba, Julius NYÉRÉRÉ University, about Black History Month.
• Read Creating space for Black voices at UCL: a student (and now alumni) perspective – a blogpost by Olivia Amponsa-Gyasi and Kelly Cummins.
• UCL Sarah Parker Remond Centre for the Study of Racism and Racialisation: A focal point for scholarship, teaching and public engagement activities that are addressed to various problems of racial inequality and hierarchy.