Black History Month
Who's running the Campaign
Hamsa your Student Officer Equality & Diversity
What it's all about
Black History Month is celebrated to platform the rich heritage and diverse backgrounds of the Black Community throughout the UK. As we grow into a rapidly diversifying community in Northern Ireland, it's imperative that we are engaging with our Afro-Caribbean communities on campus and beyond, and building networks within the community.
We hope to see you at one of our events celebrating and recognising the work of our Black students and staff to the Queen’s community and wider society!
Events
Throughout October we have a range of events planned to celebrate the work of our Black students and staff on campus...
Wed 2 Oct - Black History Month Launch
Harty Room & McMordie Hall, QUB, 6-8pm
Black History Month is back with a bang for its second year at QUBSU! We've lined up a fantastic array of speakers and performers to give you a taster of the events we have lined up for the month ahead. It will be an evening of good food, fun and laughter! Register here.
Wed 9 Oct - Race & Class with Zack Oke
Clubroom 3, SU - Elmwood, 6.30-7.30pm
For years, there has been a lack of black voices present in mainstream media, leading to large disparities in how we as black people are portrayed, and how we are in actuality. This talk will discuss how racial stereotypes promulgated through media can affect the way that black people see themselves. No need to register - just come along!
Thurs 10 Oct - The Gender Agenda: Decolonising Gender
Clubroom 4, SU - Elmwood, 5.30-6.30pm
Fope Olaleye (they/them) is a black non binary activist and the NUS UK Black Students' Officer. The Gender Agenda: Decolonising Gender will be a short look at the intersections of race and gender and the West’s role in creating and maintaining gender binaries. Light refreshments will be provided. Register here.
Fri 11 Oct - Decolonising Education
The Senate Room, QUB, 2.30-4pm
In a rapidly diversifying university environment, students and staff at Queen's are working to create a more inclusive system that holds racial justice at its core. Decolonising the curriculum and investigating the Black attainment gap are two key projects through which this can be achieved. Decolonising Education will be an afternoon in conversation with Fope Olaleye, the NUS UK Black Students' Officer, on how staff and students can work on these issues and create a more inclusive learning environment in Queen's. Register here.
Wed 16 Oct - iRISE: Contesting 'Race' and Sport with Prof Kevin Hylton
Naughton Gallery & Canada Room, 12.30-2pm
Contesting Race and Sport is a Black History Month event hosted by iRise, the Queen’s University Belfast Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic and International Staff Network.
The event will consist of a tour of the Naughton Gallery’s third annual sports exhibition, ‘As Many Reps as Possible’, which will showcase some of the most exciting sports-influenced artworks being made today, in addition to highlighting ground-breaking figures in the sporting world including Simone Biles, Colin Kaepernick and Serena Williams. Whilst celebrating sport and sports culture, the exhibition also tackles issues around diversity and inclusion within a sports context.
After the tour, Professor Kevin Hylton will give a talk on the topic ‘Race’ and Sport in the Canada Room and Council Chamber. Register here.
Wed 16 Oct - ACS Club Night
The Speakeasy, Lisburn Road, 9pm-late
Come on down to our ACS Club Night and get jiggy with it! You can expect non-stop hits all night featuring afrobeats, RnB & Hip-Hop! £3 for ACS members and £5 for non-members. Pay on the door.
Wed 23 Oct - Black HERstory
The Graduate School, QUB, 6-8pm
An evening of all things feminist and creative. The evening will begin with a panel to bring you insights on and celebrate the unique contribution of Black women to all things related to social justice, feminism and academia, while highlighting the lived experiences of Black women in predominantly white spaces. We will then enjoy the rest of the evening exploring various forms of creative expression from various Black artists- from photography to poetry. Come along for an evening of conversations that encompass and platform Black Women and their contributions to society, past and present! Light refreshments will be provided. Register here.
Sun 27 Oct - QFT Screening: Cabin in the Sky
Queen's Film Theatre, 3.40-5.30pm
With its all-black cast, MGM’s 1943 musical 'Cabin in the Sky' provided a rare and invaluable showcase for some of the era’s most legendary African American performers. With its dreamlike sets and then cutting-edge production design, knockout dance numbers and lively songs (including the Academy Award nominated ‘Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe‘, beautifully performed by Ethel Waters), it is a parable of salvation and an elaborate fantasy of African American life, showcasing a debut director exploring his craft and a truly fantastic cast of under-seen performers. Presented in partnership with Queen's Film Theatre. Book here.
Wed 30 Oct - Black History Month Closing Ceremony: QFT Screening: Absent from the Academy
Queen's Film Theatre, 6-8pm
'Absent from the Academy' attempts to trace and uncover the impact the lack of Black professors has on life in the UK. The screening, featuring contributions from Professor Paul Gilroy, Professor Hakim Adi and Dr Denise Noble, will be followed by a panel discussion centred on the Black experience and representation in Higher Education today. Book here.
We hope to see you at our events!