Black History Month: packed programme for 2023

October is Black History Month, and this month at the University, colleagues, students and the local community can enjoy a rich programme of talks, film screenings and community activities.

The theme for this year’s Black History Month is Saluting Our Sisters, celebrating the achievements of Black women, as well as recognising the marginalisation of Black women in society.

A full listing of what’s happening at the University and in our local community can be found in our Black History Month calendar.

Highlights of the University’s programme include:

• Saluting Our Sisters (26 October) - Reading’s BAME+ and Women@Reading staff networks have collaborated on this event celebrating the achievements of Black women in and around Reading. You’ll hear from local activists, entrepreneurs, researchers and community leaders, each with a remarkable story to tell.
• Dr Deborah Husbands (University of Westminster) will be in conversation for the University’s D&I flagship Black History Month event (19 October). Deborah is and founder and co-chair of Westminster’s BME staff network. At this event, she will share how her lived experiences have informed her work on race equality, her research on BME students’ sense of belonging in higher education, and how her work with the BME staff network has had an impact on her colleagues.
• There will also be opportunities to try creative activities at the Limpopo Groove drumming and zine making workshops, take part in Black arts and film showcases, and meet the University’s BAME+ Allies Network at a number of dedicated drop-in sessions at our Reading campuses.

Aleiah Potter, co-chair of the University’s BAME+ Allies Network said: “Providing safe spaces and platforms for underrepresented voices is key to building racial equality in our communities. With such a rich and diverse range of events in the University’s 2023 Black History Month programme, there’s something for everyone.

"I’m really proud to see so many areas collaborating together continuing to build awareness, energise action, and ignite advocacy in every one of us - not just for this month but always.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort is the University’s UEB Race Champion. He said: “Black History Month is an important event in the calendar, and it’s important that we mark it here at the University. 

“There are lots of varied events happening both at the University and in Reading to mark this Black History Month, and I encourage all colleagues to get involved, taking the time to listen and learn, celebrate Black history and culture, and hear remarkable stories and lived experiences.”

Overview of University Black History Month events