Held every October in Britain, Black History Month (BHM) was first introduced in London in 1987 through the Greater London Council, as a means for offering a sense of history, achievement and continuity within the Black community.
In the same year, the African Jubilee Year Declaration was launched which called on local and national government authorities to recognise African contributions to the cultural, economic and political life of London and the UK. Over the years, hundreds of local and national events have been organised across the UK in commemoration of Black History Month. It has also evolved into a celebration of cultural diversity, and has significantly contributed in promoting inclusion in the UK.
At Durham, Black History Month is celebrated through a wide range of activities and events organised by colleges, departments, and groups from across the University.
Staff and students can visit our Black History Month Hub to explore the significance of Black History Month, learn more about this year's theme, "Honouring our Communities", and access resources, stories, and recordings of past keynote events.
A variety of BHM activities will take place throughout October and beyond, so watch this space for updates.
If your department / college / group is planning a Black History Month activity this year and would like for this to be included on this consolidated e-programme, please complete this form. Thank you.
(Throughout the month of October | Bill Bryson Library)
To celebrate Black History Month, the Bill Bryson Library has created our annual Black History Month Bookshelf. Located in The Snug this year, this bookshelf has a range of titles that are primarily taken from our Liberate My Library list.
The books on this list have been purchased on your recommendations to help diversify our collections. You can browse and borrow any of the books on the bookshelf or check out the Liberate My Library list yourself through our Reading Lists. You can also make your own recommendations for books that you would like to see by making a Purchase Request and selecting "Liberate My Library" as the reason for you request.
(Wednesday 07 October, 1.30pm-2.30pm | Christopherson Building, Room E005)
As part of Black History Month, Dr. David Etor will deliver a talk exploring the role of education, opportunity, and the communities that shape individuals’ experiences, aspirations, and achievements. Drawing on his expertise and personal insights, Dr. Etor will reflect on how communities can foster belonging, empower success, and help address barriers to opportunity.
Dr. Etor is a Lecturer in the School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol. Originally from Nigeria, he studied Electrical Power at Newcastle University and Engineering at Durham University, specialising in Microsystems Technology. He has worked in both academia and industry, including as a MEMS Technologist at Collins Aerospace (RTX).
This event will take place in the Department of Engineering and is free to attend. All staff and students are warmly invited to join this engaging discussion and to celebrate Black History Month through reflection on the importance of community, representation, and opportunity.
For further information regarding this event, please get in touch with Dr. Nur Sarma (EDI Director, Department of Engineering).
To mark Black History Month, the BAME Network, St Aidan’s College, and the School of Modern Languages and Cultures are delighted to invite you to an evening featuring British-Sudanese artist and basketball player Asma Elbadawi. The event will begin with a poetry and visual presentation by our guest speaker, followed by a conversation with Professor Abir Hamdar and a Q&A with the audience. The evening will conclude with a reception and refreshments.
Asma Elbadawi is an award-winning British-Sudanese spoken word poet, visual artist and basketball player. Her poetry, photography and films explore her dual heritage, as well as the intersections of sport, womanhood and identity. She has won the British Muslim Awards and the British Journal of Photography’s Female in Focus x Nikon Award.
She also successfully campaigned for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to lift its ban on religious headwear in professional basketball. Elbadawi has performed nationally and internationally at key events including Manchester and Bradford Literature Festival, Iskarnival Festival in Malaysia, the European Arts Forum in Brussels, and the African Women in Sports Conference in Botswana. Her work has also been featured by the BBC, CNN, Al-Jazeera, Channel 4 and more. She continues to campaign to challenge stereotypes in sport and inspire young people from BAME backgrounds to pursue the sports they love.
The event is open to staff, students, and the wider community in County Durham and beyond. Everyone is welcome! Attendance is free, but registration is required as places are limited. Please scan the QR code on the event poster or follow this link to register.
This event has been generously funded by St Aidan’s College and the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network (through the EDI Department). For any queries about the event, please contact Abir Hamdar, abir.hamdar@durham.ac.uk
(Monday 19 October, 6pm to 7.30pm followed by a reception | Hogan Lovells Cadwalader Lecture Theatre [PCL048] at Durham Law School | Open to all)
For Black History Month, Durham Law School is hosting a panel discussion on a significant moment in British History, the British Nationality Act 1981. This Act, that came into force in 1983, still forms the foundation of British Citizenship and Nationality today. The BNA is heavily criticised for its restrictive approach to British Citizenship, particularly for people from formerly colonised jurisdictions and the creation of two-tier citizenship. It was brought into being against a political backdrop of increasing immigration limitations on British subjects from the wider Commonwealth. With its roots in Empire, its role in the Windrush Scandal, and its still being in force, the BNA is an important place for critique. Our panellists will speak from a range of perspectives, including the story of immigration to the UK from the Commonwealth prior to the enactment of the BNA, to citizenship stripping in the present.
The event is free, but you must register to attend: Black History Month @DLS – Fill in form
Speakers:
(Tuesday 20 October 6-8pm | Common Room, Caedmon Building, Rushford Court | Open to all)
Approaches to researching African history have traditionally relied on archival – colonial – institutions, which contain very little humanising information on the experiences of Black and African women. This presentation proposes using creative writing by African women as an alternative historical source to research African histories. Using a short story, poem, play and children’s story by Kenyan and Ugandan authors, it will demonstrate how such texts can diversify our understandings of African history.
This event is part of the Hild Bede Spotlight Series and is open to all Durham University students, staff and affiliates. Free to attend, with refreshments (and cake!) provided. Please register your attendance via the link in the Hild Bede College Instagram bio or through the QR code provided on this poster.
(Wednesday 28 October, 5.30pm to 6.30pm | Trevelyan College | Open to all)
Celebrate Black History Month at Trevelyan College with Dr. Hannabiell Sanders, an award-winning performer, composer and activist. Originally from New Jersey and of African American Jamaican heritage, Dr. Sanders is a bass trombonist and African and Latin hand percussionist whose musical career began at just nine years old. With a BFA from Rutgers University and a Master’s and PhD in Music Performance from Newcastle University, she brings together an impressive background in music, performance and activism.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a remarkable artist as part of our Black History Month celebrations. Further information about the event, including how to register, will follow soon.
Alongside it comes a joyful new commission from Alvin Ailey royalty Hope Boykin, a two-time Bessie Award winner, making her UK choreographic debut with …all towards hope. Boykin, who says “I make work and create environments from personal and lived experiences,” creates a celebratory piece especially for Ballet Black’s 25th year, a vibrant tribute to the company’s journey and a bold look towards its future. Tickets are available at the Gala Durham website.
(Pattern image designed by Freepik)
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