How I'm celebrating Black History Month

Hi, I'm Rawleka, your Equity and Inclusion Officer.

It’s Black History Month, and I wanted to share how I’m celebrating Black culture this October. For me, celebrating Black History Month in our community is about recognising the past, fostering inclusion, learning from one another, and uplifting the Black community.

This year’s theme, “Honouring Our Communities,” recognises the groups that don’t just support and sustain Black culture, but actively shape it. Equity and inclusion matter because it's how we make space for people to shape culture: by making sure everyone, whatever their background, has the same chance to belong, contribute and be heard.

So, whether you’re part of the Black community or an ally, here are some meaningful ways you can get involved this month.

Try a new dish

You can’t celebrate Black History Month without good food, so here are some spots worth trying this month:

• For a convenient Caribbean fix in central London, head to Joyce’s Authentic Caribbean in Soho, where the roti and curry are an absolute must.  
• Peckham’s Rye Lane is well worth exploring for African and Caribbean food, I’ve had some of the best jerk chicken of my life there.  
• Tooting Market is another favourite, with plenty of international options, including Guyanese food, which I really appreciate as someone from Guyana myself.  
• If you want to learn how to make iconic Ethiopian dishes, UCL is teaming up with Hackney School of Food and Chef Wion from the KERB+ Hospitality Programme to run an Ethiopian cooking class on 27 October, near UCL East. Tickets are only £1, so don't miss it!  

Immerse yourself in culture 

Belonging in a new city means finding spaces where stories you resonate with are told, and London's arts scene has plenty of spaces for you to check out. 

• The National Theatre regularly stages work featuring Black actors, writers and stories, and its 16–25 tickets help make it affordable for students.  
• Nearby in Waterloo, the Young Vic offers diverse programming and cheap tickets for young people.  
• Nothing beats a film night, and Rooftop Cinema Club's Black Film Collection is a great way to catch some iconic Black movies.
• Brixton House is another favourite of mine, showcasing theatre, spoken word, music and comedy from a range of communities. 
• Throughout October, Shakespeare's Globe is running its Shakespeare and Race Festival, celebrating artists and young people of the global majority, with tickets from £8.
• And to learn more about Black British history and culture, I'd recommend the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton. 

Get into the groove

Celebrate Black culture by embracing Black music and dance:

• If you're interested in music history, The Music Is Black: A British Story at the V&A is well worth a visit. It explores how Black artists have shaped British music, and I'm expecting to leave with a few new songs on repeat.  It's running until 3 January, so you've got time.
• We've made a great Black History Month playlist. It's on our website and Spotify, so put that on while you walk to lectures! 
• Fancy a night out to dance in a crowd? Come along to our very own TeamUCL Sports Night - Black History Month Special at Scala on 21 October.
• Or want to learn how to move? the UCL Salsa Society is running Afro-Cuban workshops for beginners. Check their Instagram for dates! 

Support Black businesses

Give some love to the Black entrepreneurs running a small business:

• Head to the Black Culture Market at Lambeth Town Hall on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October. to discover a vibrant collection of Black owned brands.
• Support Round Table Books; an inclusive, independent, Black-owned bookshop based in Brixton that specialises in selling and championing books with diverse characters.
• Relax, study or meditate with a candle or incense from Cremate.
• Discover new Black brands across London with Trippin's guide to Black-owned businesses in London.

Look after your wellbeing

Re-energise and protect your health by making time for some self-care.

• Knowing where to get your hair done or find the right products makes is vital, especially if you've just moved to London. For Afro hair products and supplies, Brixton is one of my go-to spots. Peckham, Kilburn and Croydon are also good areas to know, with plenty of Afro hair shops, salons and beauty supply stores to choose from. 
• Get active with a TeamUCL Gym pass for Black History Month! Members of the POC Network can get a free gym pass - sports are limited though, so first come, first serve.
• Or get a Black History Month Sports Pass - this pass entitles you to access all designated Sports Club and Project Active open sessions between Monday 19 October to Sunday 15 November.

Celebrate Black History Month on campus

Some of the best events are right on campus. The Black Joy Market is on 28 October from 12 to 4pm, and I'm looking forward to it. Black History Month isn't only about looking back, it's about celebrating too, so come along, support the stalls and enjoy the joy. 

• Our Black Joy Market is on 28 October from 12 to 4pm, Main Quad.
• Come and meet people in a relaxed atmosphere at Community Nights: Black History Month. 22 Oct at 7pm, Mully's Bar.
• Why not treat yourself to our cocktail and mocktail special in Institute Bar. Named after the pioneering activist and journalist whose work helped lay the foundations for London's Notting Hill Carnival, 'The Claudia Jones' is available all month in Institute and £1 from each purchase will be donated to the Union's Student Hardship Fund.
• Or get involved with the community all year round by joining the People of Colour Network or the UCL African Caribbean Society.

I can't wait to see you all at these events!