black history

Black History Month 2023

Our events to mark and celebrate Black History this October.

Join us in ‘Saluting Our Sisters’ and the #WEMATTER movement during Black History Month 2023. This year, the Black History Month national campaign highlights the crucial role that black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities. It encourages everyone take opportunities to learn about and celebrate the contributions of black women throughout history.

Our events this year are brought to you by three university areas: our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team, the Wilberforce Institute for the study of Slavery and Emancipation and the Hull University Students Union (HUSU).

Our EDI team are at the forefront of the University of Hull's commitment to promoting equality of opportunity for all, giving every individual the chance to achieve their potential, free from prejudice and discrimination.
The Wilberforce Institute is advancing the end of slavery and exploitation worldwide. Their research on historical and modern slavery informs understanding, policy and debate. Their experts provide services and training to businesses and professionals in the field to tackle modern-day slavery.
The University and Students’ Union are committed to social justice, diversity and inclusion and welcome the opportunity to encourage staff and students to celebrate Black History Month and be agents of change.

For more information about our events, email equalitydiversity@hull.ac.uk

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team events

Lunch and Learn Drop in

We are hosting a Lunch and Learn where we will discuss Racial Equality. So come along, grab a cuppa and chat! Where: Brynmor Jones Library, 7th Floor. When: 18th October 12pm-1pm.

Get Tickets Here

Human Library Videos

Our ever growing Human Library website has a storage of lived experiences related to different parts of people's identities. This section includes the videos that discuss how race and ethnicity had affected people's lives.

Watch Here

Black History Month Banner, Images of famous black women on a green backgroung

Human Library video with a surprise Team GB athlete!

This year we have the incredible opportunity to interview a mystery Team GB athlete for a Human Library Video. Look out for this video near the end of October and see who has come to share their lived experience of race and intersectionality in sport!

A woman dressed in orange, yellow and red festival feather dress

Free Union Black Course

The Union Black: Britain’s Black cultures and steps to anti-racism course, is intended to support students and staff to increase their understanding of Black British history, race, and racism, and how individuals can make a positive difference. All learners who complete this course will receive a digital certificate.

Learn more here

Racial Equality and Intersectionality Conference - Gamal "G" Turawa

Serving for London’s Metropolitan Police for over 26 years, Gamal became the first openly gay black police officer. In the 2022 BAFTA winning Best British Short film, ‘The Black Cop’ Gamal shares his story of overcoming early social conditioning which led to internalised racism and homophobia. If you would like to view with subtitles please select 'Settings' in the Video Options, 'Subtitles/CC" and click 'English'.

Watch Gamal's Video Here

Racial Equality and Intersectionality Conference - L'myah Sherae

She founded Enact Equality and the Parliamentary Group for Race Equality in Education, organisations that push to advance race and equality across the UK. With an abundance of experience in politics and both Houses of Parliament, L’myah is a leading expert on policies involving race and equality. To view with subtitles please select 'Settings' in the Video Options, 'Subtitles/CC" and click 'English'.

Watch L'myah's Video Here

Racial Equality and Intersectionality Conference - Anyika Onuora

She won Olympic Bronze at the Rio Games in 2016 and individual and relay honours during her athletics career. Her book, “My Hidden Race”, is an unflinching testimony of what it takes to pursue your dreams as a Black British woman against all odds. To view with subtitles please select 'Settings' in the Video Options, 'Subtitles/CC" and click 'English'.

Watch Anyika's Video Here

Hull's Young Mayors

"Youth Aspire Connect and Hull's Young Mayor Campaign Team present" written in white on a blue background

Just Ignore It - Anti-racism Film

This video was created by Hull’s Young Mayor’s Anti-racism campaign group, this group of young people have put into words what anti-racism means to them. They have also created a policy and guidance document for local schools to help support their anti-racism campaign in an effort to eradicate racisms and teach people from a young age what it means to be anti-racist.

Watch the Video Here

Wilberforce Institute events

Taking the Knee exhibition

This new exhibition shines a light on the history of ‘taking the knee’. The exhibition is part of ongoing community engagement work between the Wilberforce Institute, Hull Museums, and Hull’s African and Caribbean Community. When: 29th September - 1st November. Where: Hull’s Streetlife Museum.

Hull Lord Mayor BHM Launch

The Hull's Lord Mayor will be kicking off and officially launching Black History Month celebrations. When: 29th September, 3pm. Where: Wilberforce House Museum

ACES Bridlington Club and Friends by the Sea

This is an Afro Caribbean et South American Club with Friends by the Sea. We are inclusive of everyone based on Peace, Unity and Respect. The aspiration and aims are to help anyone in the local community that needs assistance. We meet fortnightly to converse, sports where possible and dominoes. Where: The Harbour Suite , Bridlington Spa, Bridlington, YO15 3JHZ. When: 7th October, 10am onwards.

Go Here to Find Out More

A text talking about a slave called Joe Cinnamon

Alderman Sydney Smith Annual Lecture

‘With a View to Gain His Freedom’: Freedom Seekers and The End of Slavery in Britain' by Professor Simon Newman. Where: Online or at the Wilberforce Institute, 27 High Street, HU1 1NE. When: 18 Oct. 5:30pm - 7pm

Learn more here

More Wilberforce Institute Events!

There are many more events ongoing, please visit the Wilberforce Institute events page to see more!

See More Here!

HUSU events

BHM Movie Night (Secret screening)

Join us for a movie night ! 3 films will be on offer, it`s your choice. Stay after and enjoy snacks, refreshments and open discussion on the film. When: 15 October, 6pm-9pm. Where: Hull University Union - Bookable Room 7

Book Tickets Here

Crafternoon's - Upcycling

In celebration of Black History Month, we will be upcycling bottles and having a discussion about upcycling around the world and in different cultures! When: 10th October, 12pm-2:30pm. Where: The NEST.

Book Tickets Here

Image of a woman made of paper with an afro

GIAG BHM Sista Mural

In celebration of Black History Month, we are creating a Sista Mural over at the new student space THE NEST on the 1st floor of Student Central. We would love you to come along and help us create this artwork and add inspirational quotes. When: 11 October 12:30pm - 2pm. Where: The NEST.

Crafternoon's - Batik Printing

In celebration of Black History Month, we will be hosting a Batik Printing session! There will also be some light crafts happening. Colouring in, keyring making and rock painting will be available. If the need for crafting takes over, come and join us! When: 19 October 12pm- 2:30pm. Where: The NEST.

Book Tickets Here

Crafternoon's - World Crafts

In celebration of Black History Month, we will be doing some World Crafts! There will also be some light crafts happening. Colouring in, keyring making and rock painting will be available. If the need for crafting takes over, come and join us! When: 24 October 12pm- 2:30pm. Where: The NEST.

Book Tickets Here

Middleton Hall Events

Movie Night

Middleton Hall will be playing the "Farming", a movie written and directed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje about his own childhood. This screening is part of the 'Monday Night is Movie Night' film series running at Middleton Hall every Monday and it pays homage to this years Black History Month. When: Monday 16th October. 7pm-9pm.

Book Tickets Here

Networks and Support Groups

Student Black, Asian, Minority Ethnicity Network.

Are you a student looking to join support network? This network represents and promotes the views and interests of students who identify as Black, Asian and/or Minority Ethnic. The network is an excellent way for students to build communities of support and challenge discrimination, oppression and inequality. When: 13th October, 1pm-3pm. Where: BR7

Learn More Here

Global Majority Staff Network

Join out Global Majority Staff Network! To find out more or join email: equalitydiversity@hull.ac.uk