Black History Month: see what’s on
During October, the University is showing its support for Black History Month with a series of events to celebrate diversity and the achievements of people of colour at Sussex, in the UK and around the world.
Black History Month is a national celebration that aims to promote and celebrate black contributions to British society, and to foster an understanding of black history in general. It’s a fantastic opportunity for all students to get involved and learn more about our BME (black, minority and ethnic) community.
Students are planning numerous celebratory events across Black History Month, starting with the African & Caribbean Society’s first event of the year. The Nigerian Society will be hosting a lively discussion showing off the achievements of young people from Nigeria. Both events feature, food, music and a chance for students to forge connections here at Sussex.
On Tuesday 8 October (4pm to 5pm, Arts A2 lecture theatre) students will be hosting Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry in the Goverment of Botswana. A Chevening Scholar and Sussex alumna, Bogolo graduated with an MA in International Economics in 2013. She’ll be in conversation with another Sussex scholar, revealing how she came to Sussex, why she chose International Economics and how Sussex helped launch her career. The event is open to all Sussex students.
Cinema features strongly in this year’s Black History Month programme, with cult classics and contemporary black film-making alike. Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts on campus is hosting Cinema Club screenings of Trojan, the story of the iconic record label, and Rafiki, with themes of LGBTQ+ rights and family pressures in Kenya.
The Library will be highlighting some of the amazing work of Black authors and scholars in its collection by displaying profiles throughout the building and on social media (@sussexlibrary).
This year, the Students’ Union hired Su’ur Agema, a postgraduate student of International Education and Development, to be its first Black History Month Curator. Su’ur has been liaising with students and community groups since July to shape an “inclusive, embracive and student-oriented” programme of events alongside those being run by colleagues at the Students’ Union and the wider University. He has also begun a blog, which is open to collaborators, alongside the Students’ Union channels (@sussexbhm) about his experiences and thoughts around black history.
The Black History Month programme is ever evolving, so keep checking the Students’ Union listings to see what’s been added. Funding and support is still available if you wish to put on your own event.
Black History Month events hosted by the Students’ Union will culminate in Sussex Black History Day on Thursday 7 November. This event is an opportunity for students of all backgrounds to come together to share their culture and experiences in Falmer House Common Room – check back for more information about how to get involved!
Look out for other events, too, that are being organised across campus by various schools and departments.
Image via University of Sussex Students' Union.