October 2, 2018, by Claire Henson

Black History Month at The University of Nottingham

A number of events are taking place at the University of Nottingham this month in celebration of Black History Month 2018.

The programme of events and presentations taking place throughout October acknowledges that history is being made not just during Black History Month but every day.

Staff and students are welcome to attend, with many events also open to the wider community. We encourage all to get involved and share details of the programme.

With 2018 marking the platinum anniversary of the UK arrival of the first 492 passengers from the West Indies onboard the ship Empire Windrush, the programme commences with a blog published today by Professor Cecile Wright, Lenford Vassell and Dr Val Watson.

Event highlights from our Black History Month programme include:

• Native Land Talk: Indigenous and Arrivant Rights Theories
  6:30-8pm, Tuesday 2 October
  Yael Ben-zvi discusses how Native Americans and African Americans redefined nativity and shaped 18th and 19th century perceptions of rights, freedom and belonging. This event takes place at Trent Building, LG6+. Find out more here.
• New Nigerians
  Friday 5 October – Saturday 6 October
  A sparkling satire on the state of populism in our politics, New Nigerians is the smash-hit new comedy from Oladipo Agboluaje (winner of the Alfred Fagon award for playwriting). Following a sold-out run at London’s Arcola Theatre, Rosamunde Hutt’s side-splitting production arrives in Nottingham for three performances only. After the 8pm performance on Friday 5th October, there will be a Q&A/Panel Discussion with the writer and cast of New Nigerians and special guest, Dr Karen Salt, Director, Centre for Research in Race and Rights (C3R).
• Salute film screening
  6pm, Tuesday 16 October
  50 years ago the Black Power Salute at the 1968 Mexico Olympics dramatically linked sport and politics. Join us for a screening of Salute – an Australian documentary with interviews with protesters Tommie Smith and John Carlos and the often overlooked Australian silver medallist, Peter Norman.
• ‘We are our own Liberators’ – documentary screening and Q&A
  6pm-8pm, Friday 19 October
  Drawing on personal testimony from activists themselves, this documentary uncovers the hidden history of the Black Liberation Front. Formed in 1971 by former members of the Black Panther Movement in Britain, the BLF campaigned against police racism and promoted black history and culture amongst black communities in Britain.
  Following the screening there will be a Q&A session with Amelia Francis from the Young Historians Project, a non-profit organisation which made the film.
• Let’s dance! Free salsa classes and demonstration
  11:30am-1:30pm, Tuesday 23 October
  Come along to this event to view a salsa demonstration and take part in a free salsa class. We will also have a few stalls including a spice stall and Indian food stall.
• B-Global – introducing Nottingham’s black business network
  7:45am-9:30am, Thursday 25 October
  Nottingham City Council has identified that black-owned businesses are under-represented in current business-support initiatives across the city and is initially helping to co-ordinate with B-Global; an exciting new business platform for start-ups, established and scale-up black businesses (African/African Caribbean heritage) in the city of Nottingham. B-Global is designed to ensure all SMEs have the opportunity to grow to their full potential.
  The University of Nottingham is delighted to be hosting this event in partnership with B-Global, Nottingham City Council and the D2N2 Growth Hub.
• African drumming workshop
  12pm-2pm, Thursday 25 October
  Join us for a workshop where you can learn more about African drumming.
• Career success – the BME experience
  6pm-8pm, Tuesday 30 October
  Join our BME staff, students and alumni to hear about their career achievements, have your questions answered, share your experience and build your network. A mix of short presentations and informal small-group discussion, the evening will be chaired by Dr Nalayini Thambar, Director of Careers and Employability.
• Steel drum band live performance
  12pm-2pm, Tuesday 30 October
  A live steel drum band performance. This event will also feature Hipps Café selling Caribbean food.

Other events may be announced throughout the month. For full listings, please visit the University’s events page.

Professor Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said:

“I am very pleased that our staff and students are supporting an activity as important as Black History month. This month represents a vital opportunity for learning and celebration, and I wish the team every success with the exciting programme of events”.

Dr Val Watson, Head of University Counselling Service and Chair of the University’s BME Staff Network, said:

“We hope that you will join us in this celebration and contribute to the ongoing debates about the inequities that exist and the progress that is being made albeit slowly. Here, at Nottingham we want to do our part. History is an active process so join in.”

Find out more

To find out more about the University’s Black History Month programme please email the People and Culture team.

You can also subscribe to the People and Culture blog for further updates throughout October.

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