Celebrating Black History Month: Events and Activities for University Students
Black History Month in the UK has come around again this October. It is an important part of the calendar each year, providing the opportunity for black heritage, culture and history to be shared, celebrated and understood.
We are always keen to share with our students different cultural events and important landmarks to celebrate each year, including the various Pride parades around the country, International Women’s Day, and Black History Month. If you are new to the country or making your way into adult life as a self-sufficient, socially aware student, we hope we can provide you with the insight to share your own stories, to get involved with different events and to make a difference.
What is Black History Month?
It is an event that first began in the USA back in the 1920s and also takes place in Canada, Germany, Ireland, and other countries around the world. Whereas in Canada and the USA, Black History Month is celebrated in February each year, in the UK it is in October.
Honouring our communities
The theme this year is ‘Honouring Our Communities’, and this is important because it moves the spotlight away from the famous names and towards the everyday people who keep black communities going across the UK.
The idea is to recognise the volunteers, teachers, nurses, carers, mentors and grassroots organisers whose work too often goes unnoticed. This month is a chance to look closer to home, to learn about the people who have shaped your own community, and to celebrate the part they play.
The history behind Black History Month
Black History Month was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a professor at Howard University who had been able to study at one of the few high schools for black students and gained a PhD in history from Harvard University, amongst other qualifications. Since 1976, every US President has officially designated Black History Month as February in the US. This year marks 100 years since that first week of commemoration.
In the UK, the first Black History Month took place in 1987, which was the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean. Akyaaba Addai-Sebo arranged the first UK Black History Month with the same intention to challenge racism and to celebrate black history. He had come from Ghana to the UK as a refugee in the mid-1980s. The change in month compared with the USA was down to October traditionally being a time when African leaders would gather to discuss important matters.
Celebrating Black History Month in the UK
Black History Month celebrates important figures from black history in the UK, such as Lewis Hamilton (multiple-time world champion in Formula One), Malorie Blackman (first black Children’s Laureate), and Walter Tull (one of the first black officers in the British Army), and many others who have made a great contribution to British history, not only black British history.
It is an all-encompassing event though, with local communities, museums, galleries, and event spaces across the country putting on events, workshops, talks, lectures, concerts, and more to discuss the impact of British colonialism, and the present and future of black communities in the UK.
For university students across the country, there is a wide range of events celebrating Black History Month, so take a look at the listings at your own university to see what is being put on and how you can get involved. There are always different ways in which you can, whether that is through organising events, helping to promote events or managing them on the day.
Black History Month events
There are hundreds of events taking place throughout the UK in October. We’ve put together a few listings to show you some examples of events this Black History Month.
Tapestry of Black Britons
Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Stirling
Tapestry of Black Britons is a touring collection of woven and embroidered tapestries telling the story of African and Caribbean contributions to Britain, from the Roman period through to the present day. The project was founded by artist and cultural producer Paula Ogun Hector to fill the gaps in how black British history is told. Each panel is shaped by historical research alongside artists, schools and community groups.
The exhibition opens in Stirling on 1st October and stays until December. The tour also visits Hastings Museum from 10 October until 9th November, before arriving at Manchester Central Library on 11th November.
Portrait of Black Britain
Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester
Factory International brings Portrait of Black Britain back to Aviva Studios for Black History Month. The photographic exhibition by artist and activist Cephas Williams asks what it means to be black and living in the UK, answering through large-scale portraits and personal stories from people in every walk of life, not only public figures. Williams first came to national attention through his 56 Black Men campaign, which challenged perceptions of black men in Britain.
Entry is free, and there’s no need to book. The exhibition is in The Social at Aviva Studios throughout October, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am until 6 pm.
Black Eats Festival
Hackney Bridge, East Bay Lane, London
Black Eats Festival returns to Hackney Bridge on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October for a Black History Month weekend. Presented by Black Eats LDN, the festival brings together independent black-owned food and lifestyle businesses, serving dishes that draw on flavours from across Africa, the Caribbean and the wider diaspora. Alongside the food traders, you’ll find drinks, black-owned retail brands, music and live DJs, making it a relaxed way to mark the month whilst supporting independent businesses.
If you are looking for student accommodation for the next year, you are in the right place. Visit the Homes for Students website and browse through a range of properties that cater to every need.