1 October marks the start of Black History Month in the UK. October is the dedicated month for uplifting, uncovering, and celebrating Black history.
We are celebrating the month with a diverse programme of events, led by our student leaders, groups, and societies. We hope you'll join us in elevating and celebrating the voices of our Black students through storytelling, discussions, exhibitions, and food to showcase black history from the UK and beyond. Check out what we've planned below and come along!
Launch event
Celebrate the start of the month with us by joining us at a panel event to discuss this month's key theme: Standing Firm in Power and Pride. The panel includes:
Chair - Eda Yildirimkaya (Equity & Inclusion Officer)
Rawleka Wilson (Volunteering Officer)
Aya Elgool (Social Class & Mobility Officer)
Tandi Nyawanza (President of Afro-Carribean Society)
Mike Sulu (Co-Chair of the Race Equality Steering Group)
The panel discussion will be following a networking lunch with Caribbean catering provided by Cottons - a great chance to build new connections, and find out more about the lineup of events for Black History Month.
artsUCL events
On Wednesday 1 October, join artsUCL and Project Active in visiting Owusu-Ankomah's commemorative exhibition ‘Freedom Rising’ at the October Gallery. Freedom Rising: The Art of Owusu-Ankomah showcases large-scale paintings on canvas which depict an alternative world, abounding with symbols and monumental human figures. You can get your tickets here - note that the price (£3.50) includes a hot drink!
If you're not going to be around for this event, we've got another gallery visit on Wednesday 15 October. We'll be heading to Autograph Gallery at Rivington Place - a space championing photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice.
You can also get involved this Black History Month by submitting a piece for our Liberate: The Phineas Art Gallery. Eda, your Equity and Inclusion Officer is platforming artists from marginalised communities and to honour the many ways art can reclaim, resist and reimagine.
If dancing is more your thing, JustVibes has you covered throughout October. For your weekly does of pure good vibes, come along to our beginner-friendly Afro dance class and move, connect, and just be yourself. The incredible instructor Elaine Simpson, a seasoned hip-hop artist, will be guiding you through the sessions, spreading her passion and her craft. The sessions take place weekly throughout October, so make sure to catch one!
Celebrate Black History Month with books
New Beacon Books is the UK's first black publisher, founded in 1966 by John La Rose and his partner Sarah White, inspired by John La Rose’s advanced political and cultural vision derived from experience in the Caribbean and South America. The bookshop is right at the centre of many ground-breaking political and social projects, organisations and campaigns.
Join us for a visit to this specialist bookshop - for two hours, the shop will be open exlusively to UCL students). Get your free ticket (we have an event on Monday 13 and Tuesday 21 October) before they run out!
If you can't make either of these events, don't worry - New Beacon Books will be coming to the Student Centre on Thursday 9 October. Come along and browse a selection of books!
You can also check out our list of must-reads for Black History Month.
If poetry is more your style, we've got you covered with a 2 hour long poetry workshop led by Poetic Unity. Here, you'll learn about the power of expression and find your voice.
Poetic Unity is a Black-led charity founded in 2015 that provides spaces for learning, expression and joy through poetry. Predominantly supporting young people of Black and mixed-Black heritage, their work centres on the needs and experiences of the young people they support, recognising poetry as a therapeutic tool that unites and heals communities, celebrates identity and challenges injustice.
There are plenty more events happening throughout Black History Month - you can check them out here. A shoutout to the African Caribbean Society, who run a range of social and cultural events all year round, and provide networking events, career initiatives and volunteering opportunities.
We hope to see you there❤️