Black History Month 2023

W/C 9 October 2023

Below is a list of highlight events for BHM 2023 for the week commencing 9 October 2023. Do check back for further updates as new activity gets added. 

Robert Wedderburn and Transatlantic Solidarity Talk

Monday 9th October 2023 (18:00-19:00)

Where: Creative Quadrant, Streatham Campus, Exeter.
Who: Staff, Students

The son of an enslaved housemaid and a Scottish Jacobite, and raised by a formidable obeah woman in colonial Kingston during the aftermath of a massive insurrection, Robert Wedderburn seems to have been destined for rebellion. He is best remembered today for explicitly encouraging enslaved people in Jamaica and exploited labourers in Britain to join together, rise up, and overthrow their oppressors by force. Drawing on the insurrectionary tradition of the West Indies – especially revolutionary Haiti – Wedderburn’s rhetoric of transatlantic solidarity made him a central figure in British working-class politics during the early nineteenth century – and landed him in gaol several times.

In this lecture, Ryan Hanley will explore the formative years of Wedderburn’s political career, between 1813 and 1817. This period started with Wedderburn eking out a living on the margins of law-abiding society in London, but culminated in the publication of his best-known and most radical written work, The Axe Laid to the Root, in which he advocated the use of collective force to overthrow slavery and class oppression in both Britain and the Empire.

Places are limited, so please get a free ticket at the link above.

Film Screening and Q&A: The Stuart Hall Project

Tuesday 10th October 2023 (19:00)

Where: The Poly, Falmouth
Who: All

Join Neurodivergent Film Club and Inspiring Women Network, in collaboration University of Exeter, as we celebrate Black History Month with a special screening of "The Stuart Hall Project." This cinematic event pays tribute to the profound philosophies of the renowned cultural theorist, Professor Stuart Hall.

"The Stuart Hall Project" (12A) delves into the life and work of this influential figure, exploring his groundbreaking ideas and the lasting impact they've had on our understanding of culture, identity, and society.

Following the screening, we are delighted to host a thought-provoking Q∓A discussion with Dr. Nicholas Beech from the University of Birmingham. Dr. Beech's work is at the forefront of a groundbreaking multidisciplinary project aimed at expanding public understanding and engagement with the Stuart Hall archive. This valuable archive, generously deposited at the University by Stuart Hall's family, is set to be fully catalogued by the dedicated Cadbury Research Library team. The project itself is divided into three essential strands: Conjunctures, Readings, and Dialogues.

Join us for an evening of enlightenment, exploration, and celebration as we delve into the legacy of Stuart Hall and his enduring influence on cultural theory. Your participation in this event will contribute to a broader conversation that seeks to deepen our appreciation of Professor Hall's invaluable contributions to the world of academia and beyond. 

Tickets: £8.50, £7 (Concessions), £6.50 (Members of The Poly). 

Tickets necessary for admission, so please click the link above to book online.

In Conversation With... Our 100 Black Women Professors Now Cohort

Wednesday 11th October 2023 (13:00-15:00)

Where: Creative Quadrant, Streatham Campus, or join us online via Teams.
Who: Staff and students

Join Dr Safi Darden, Colleen Douglas-Smith, Melody Jombe, and Dr Winifred Nyinoh as they discuss their experiences on the 100 Black Women Professors Now programme and have a wider conversation about the representation and inclusion of black female academics in higher education.

After the panel have spoken there will be opportunities to ask questions, engage in small group networking, and enjoy some refreshments.

Room capacity is limited, and links will be sent to attendees registered online in advance so please get your ticket at the link above however you are choosing to join us. Please note that ticket sales will end an hour before the event start time.

Launch Event: Ethnic Minorities in STEM Peer Support Network

Wednesday 11th October 2023 (13:30-14:30)

Where: Physics 124, Physics Building, Streatham Campus, Exeter.
Who: Staff 

Staff are invited to join us for this launch event for our new Peer Support Network. No ticket is required, just show up and meet people! 

Race Equality Charter: Our Action Plan

Thursday 12th October 2023 (13:00-14:00)

Where: Online, via Teams.
Who: Staff 

Join Beau Bell from the EDI Team for a briefing on our Race Equality Action Plan, talking through our priorities and how to get involved in our work in turning the plan into action to create lasting, impactful change.
Another session of this event is running Thurs 26th October (14:00-15:00), so please choose the date that works better for you.
The Teams link will be sent via Eventbrite, so please make sure you register at the link above. Please note that ticket sales close an hour before the event starts.

Falmouth Reggae Festival

Friday 13th & Saturday 14th October 2023 (Friday from 17:00, Saturday from 1pm)

Where: Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, Falmouth
Who: All

Welcome to FRF 2023 - Returning to our tropical sea side home at Princess Pavilion for another vibe filled year of hand picked Reggae, food, rum 'n' vibes.

Friday 13th - Doors/start 17:00
Saturday 14th - Doors 1pm, start 2pm

The full outside garden stage has been confirmed to hold 1500 of you and will run from 5pm - 10pm on Saturday 14th October w/ a triple headline bill along side a jam packed full site programme.

Full list of acts available at the link above.

Tickets: Friday: £21, Saturday: £31.50, weekend: £42. Saturday under 18s: £11. Saturday under 12s go free. 

Tickets required, so please use the link above to get one in advance.

Live Music: David Walters

Sunday 15th October 2023 (19:30- late)

Where: The Cornish Bank, Falmouth
Who: All

Combining influences from his Caribbean heritage with electronic beats and acoustic folk, singer and multi-instrumentalist David Walters has won fans worldwide with his unique sound, with solid support from Gilles Peterson, FIP, Radio Nova and France Inter.

New album Soul Tropical, produced by Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist, Onipa, K.O.G and many more) will drop March 2023 on acclaimed French label Heavenly Sweetness, with concentrated PR campaign in UK, France and the USA.

Tickets: £10 / £12 / £14, on a non means-tested pay-what-you-can-afford basis.

Tickets required, so please use the link above to get one in advance.

W/C 16 October 2023

Below is a list of highlight events for BHM 2023 for the week commencing 16th October 2023. Check back regularly for updated information and new events added throughout the month!

Live Music: Chouk Bwa & The A°ngstromers

Tuesday 17th October 2023 (19:30- late)

Where: The Cornish Bank, Falmouth
Who: All

Haitian six-piece Chouk Bwa meets Belgian production duo, The Ångströmers. Afro-Caribbean voodoo polyrhythms meet bass-weight dub electronics.

Chouk Bwa display the deep African heritage of Haiti, torn from Africa and secretly re-planted in a new land.This new project combines a new dub sensitivity and Haitian rhythm science and spirituality.

Modular synths and other vintage electronic instruments bring another dimension to Chouk Bwa’s music, although obviously it is always the band’s groove and fluent tempo that leads the energy of the ensemble: no laptops, no drum machines.

Tickets: £12

Tickets required, so please use the link above to get one in advance.

Talk: Ben Okri, Tiger Work

Wednesday 18th October 2023 (19:00)

Where: The Poly, Falmouth
Who: All

Falmouth Book Festival (16th-22nd Oct) are pleased to welcome all to a talk by author Ben Okri, focussed around his new collection Tiger Work: Stories, Poems and Essays About the Climate Crisis.

Ben Okri is a Nigerian-born British poet, novelist, short story writer, essayist, playwright, and activist whose writing challenges perceptions of reality.

The celebrated author of over a dozen novels, in 1991 he won the Booker Prize for The Famished Road, a bookl that has been highly influential in the decades since its release.

His new collection Tiger Work sees him at the height of his powers, turning his cultural activism to the subject of climate change: if we continue to live as we do now, , he argues, there will be no world left for us to fix. The book imagines a seris of messages – sent to us from beyond the end, from those who saw it coming – exhorting us to change now. Combining fiction, essay and poetry, Tiger Work showcases Okri's classic blend of storytelling, fantasy and magic and makes a case for the importance of writers in shaping our responses to the climate crisis. 

Tickets: £8/£5

Tickets required, so please use the link above to get one in advance.

Film: Over the Bridge (2023)

Wednesday 18th October 2023 (20:00)

Where: The Exeter Picturehouse Cinema
Who: All

Folarin is a business man with secrets. Compromised by a corporate scandal, will he jump over the edge or can he find redemption?

Folarin (Ozzy Agu) is a Lagos based investment banker with something to hide.

Plagued by an alcohol problem and intermittent panic attacks, his life is turned upside down when his ethics are compromised over a controversial rail construction project.

As his relationship with his glamourous society wife Jumoke (Segilola Ogidan) unravels he finds himself sinking deeper into an illegal high stakes business deal.

When his actions lead to the death of a colleague in an environment where corruption is the name of the game, he is plunged further into crisis facing pressure on all fronts.

Narrated with suspense and intrigue, Over the Bridge (12A) is a rare treat from Nigeria, depicting the west African metropolis, Lagos as never seen before on the big screen.

This event is presented in partnership with Beyond Nollywood and Dark Matter.

Tickets: Students and over 60s: £10.20, Adults: £11.20. Children: £8.20. Members have discounts on tickets. 

Tickets required, so please use the link above to get one in advance.

Live Music: Coops

Sunday 22nd October 2023 (19:30- late)

Where: The Cornish Bank, Falmouth
Who: All

North London rapper and artist with self reflecting, conscious lyricism. The High focus-signee is back at the bank this October.

Not many rappers can boast that their first ever live performance was at London’s O2 Arena, supporting hip hop legend, Nas.

Such was the talent of Coops, who at 23-years-old won Choice FM’s Breakthrough Competition, and the chance to perform alongside one of his formative influences. “I want to be inspired by the greats, rather than what’s current,” the North Londoner explains, citing Jay Z, A Tribe Called Quest and Eminem as other major inspirations.

 Coops has now signed to the mighty High Focus Records to take his musical output to the next level. Influenced by the greats, Coops is as real as they come with his feet planted firmly on the ground.

Tickets: £15

Tickets required, so please use the link above to get one in advance.

W/C 23 October 2023

Below is a list of highlight events for BHM 2023 for the week commencing 23rd October 2023. Check back regularly for updated information and new events added throughout the month!

The Creative Leadership Book Club: Launch Event

Tuesday 24th October (12:30-13:30)

Where: Streatham: Forum Seminar Room 10 (The America Room); St Lukes: 07 Baring Court; Penryn: Peter Lanyon Seminar Room 2.
Who: Staff and Students

This session will explain how we intend to work through this book in detail over the coming months, and introduce you to some of the main concepts. A free copy of the book will be provided to all partipants!

Creative Leadership is a transformational process that focuses on individual growth, which in turn can have a powerful impact on projects, teams or organisations. Leadership has to become more diverse, empathic and enabling. The Creative Leadership book is based on the principles and practice of inclusive design, and devised by Rama Gheerawo, Director of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art, London.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team, the Exeter Education Incubator, and Arts and Culture, have joined forces to support students and staff who have a keen interest in working on anti-racism and general EDI initiatives within the University.

Tickets required, so please get your free ticket at the link above.

Film Screening: The Ants and the Grasshopper

Wednesday 25th October (From 14:15)

Where: Chapel Lecture Theatre, Tremough House, Penryn Campus
Who: All

Students, staff, and the wider commuinity are invited to our free screening of The Ants and the Grasshopper. Join us for the screening and discussion. Popcorn will be provided! 

Anita Chitaya has a gift; she can help bring abundant food from dead soil, she can make men fight for gender equality, and she can end child hunger in her village. Now, to save her home from extreme weather, she faces her greatest challenge: persuading Americans that climate change is real. Traveling from Malawi to California to the White House, she meets climate skeptics and despairing farmers. Her journey takes her across all the divisions shaping the US, from the rural-urban divide, to schisms of race, class and gender, to the thinking that allows Americans to believe we live on a different planet from everyone else. It will take all her skill and experience to persuade us that we’re all in this together.

Doors open at 14:15 for a 14:30 start for the film. 

This documentary, ten years in the making, weaves together the most urgent themes of our times: climate change, gender and racial inequality, the gaps between the rich and the poor, and the ideas that groups around the world have generated in order to save the planet.

Tickets required, so please get your free ticket at the link above.

Black Women in Health and Social Care

Wednesday 25th October (18:00 - 19:00)

Where: Online
Who: Students and Staff

What does it really mean to work in the health and social care industry for Black women? Despite a growing awareness for diversity and inclusivity in workplaces, research consistently shows that Black women in health and social care regularly face intersectional discrimination due to their race and sex. This discrimination comes from both the broader institution and even their own patients and service users. We have invited a panel of Black women from health and social care sectors to discuss their experiences in the health and social care industry for this Black History Month’s focus on ‘Celebrating our sisters’. We will discuss what lessons they have learnt so far during their time in this industry in aims to inform Black girls and women with hopes of entering health and social care on the potential barriers they could face. More broadly, this event aims to provide insight for any individual that is currently working (or aspires to work) in health and social care sectors on how they could foster a more diverse and inclusive workplace that serves the wider community.

Please register at the link above to get access to the online joining link.

Mental Health and Racial Trauma

Thursday 26th October 2023 (12:00-13:30)

Where: Exchange Yellow, Penryn Campus
Who: Staff and Students

Dean Harvey, Associate Non-Executive Director at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, hosts a talk about mental health and racial trauma. This is an opportunity to join a conversation about racial inequality and discrimination in the mental health system and to find out more about initiatives to achieve equitable health outcomes for all.

Tickets will be made available, so please check back soon! 

Race Equality Charter: Our Action Plan

Thursday 26th October 2023 (14:00-15:00)

Where: Online, via Teams.
Who: Staff 

Join Beau Bell from the EDI Team for a briefing on our Race Equality Action Plan, talking through our priorities and how to get involved in our work in turning the plan into action to create lasting, impactful change.
Another session of this event is running Thurs 12th October (13:00-14:00) so please choose the date that works better for you.
The Teams link will be sent via Eventbrite, so please make sure you register at the link above. Please note that ticket sales close an hour before the event starts.

Live Music: Onipa

Friday 27th October 2023 (19:30- late)

Where: The Cornish Bank, Falmouth
Who: All

Deep afro grooves, electronics and fierce energy in an effervescent celebration of cultural and musical encounters....

Afro futurist sensations Onipa unleashed their debut album, 'We No Be Machine' on Strut Records in March 2020. The record combines deep afro grooves, electronics and fierce energy in an effervescent celebration of cultural and musical encounters. .

ONIPA means ‘human’ in Akan, the ancient language of the Ashanti people of Ghana. It’s a message of connection through collaboration: from Ghana to London, our ancestors to our children, Onipa brings energy, groove, electronics, afrofuturism, dance and fire!

Born out of deep collaboration between long-time friends KOG (Kweku of Ghana) and Tom Excell (MD, guitarist of acclaimed jazz/ soul afrobeat pioneers Nubiyan Twist), the 4 piece live show features KOG on vocals, balafon and percussion, Tom Excell on guitar, percussion and electronics, Dwayne Kilvington (Wonky Logic) on synths and MPC and Finn Booth (Nubiyan Twist) on drums.

Tickets: £17.50

Tickets required, so please use the link above to get one in advance.

W/C 30 October 2023 and beyond

Below is a list of highlight events for BHM 2023 for the week commencing 30th October 2023, and those happening beyond the month. 

Please check back for updates as more events and details may be added as the month goes on.

Beyond Black History Month

Tuesday 7th November 2023 (15:30-18:00)

Where: Peter Lanyon Lecture Theatre 2, Penryn Campus 
Who: Students, Staff and External Stakeholders

Join Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Cornwall, Professor Martin Siegert and Assistant HR Director (Culture and Inclusion), Shraddha Chaudhary for a panel discussion about how we can take action to tackle racism and create a fair, socially just and inclusive society, with catering provided by Rice and Peas Community CIC. 

Tickets will be made available, so please check back soon!

Below is a list of resources that you can access for BHM 2023 

Black History Month Central Webpages

More information about Black History Month, including introductions to this years theme (Saluting Our Sisters) can be found on the Black History Month website.

Black Screen History: A Tale of Trailblazing Talent, Tribulation, Trials and Triumph

The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum has a permanent exhibition celebrating Black screen history. The exhibition is called: Black Screen History, a Tale of Trailblazing Talent, Tribulation, Trials and Triumph.The exhibition, created after feedback at a community Black History Month event in 2021 was curated by Choe Jarrett-Bell. The exhibition can be visited in the upper gallery of the Bill Douglas Museum on Streatham campus.

More information and digital materials produced for the exhibition.

Free entry, no ticket required.

Exeter University Library

The Exeter University Library is celebrating Black History Month by putting together resources to explore Black history. There will be displays at the entrances to both the Forum and St Luke's libraries, as well as promotions on social media (@ExeterUniLib). 

The library is proud to promote their Black History and Black Lives Matter Lib Guide  pages. 

They have also put together a Black History Month BHM Reading and watching Recs which has a range of books as well as film and television resources for you to explore. 

They are also pleased to highlight their Archival Black History Research resource.

All items are freely available for use by all staff and students, and the library team are always keen to hear feedback and suggestions on these lists and resources, and to expand the texts they have available. We hope there is something interesting and new in these resources for everyone. 

Student Voices Blogs

This year, we are delighted to share these fantastic essays written by current students about their lived experience as black students at the University of Exeter. 
As well as reading those at the link above, you can also check out the videos from last year of some of our students sharing what makes them 'Proud To Be'. 

Black History Month X Stonewall

LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall have put together a number of resources for this year's Black History Month, including a list of Black LGBTQ+ organisations offering a range of different support for Black LGBTQ+ people and 10 ways to be a better ally to Black LGBTQ+ people.

From the SU BHM microsite (Cornwall, 2023)

Black Wellness/Wellbeing Resources

• The Nap Ministry
• The Black Wellbeing Collective
• Black Yogi Nico Marie
• @blackgirlinom
• @bmhaofficial
• BAME students' mental health support

Allyship and Solidarity Resources

• Effective Allies Who Take Meaningful Actions
• UK Black Pride
• Smarter in Seconds
• @everydayracism
• Become A Good Ancestor (Layla F. Saad)
• Candice Brathwaite
• Glitch
• @sistahspace_
• gal-dem
• Rachel Cargle
• Temi Mwale

From the SG BHM microsite (Exeter, 2022)

• My experiences with diversity on campus
• Adjusting to Exeter as an international student
• Finding friendship and support as a BIPOC

YearConnect 

Student Societies (Devon)

• African and Caribbean Society Student's Guild page and The Exeter ACS Instagram
• Students of Colour Assosciation Student's Guild page.
• BME Network, Staff and students can join the Network for access to the Teams pages and events. Allies welcome. Join form here
• Queer and BAME Collective Student's Guild page and the Queer BAME Collective Instagram and Facebook
• Students Of Colour Community Feed
• Full list of Exeter student societies 

Student Societies (Cornwall)

• African Caribbean Society and the Exeter and Falmouth ACS Instagram
• BME Network
• Full list of Cornwall student societies

Staff Networks

• BME Network
• International Staff and PG Network
• List of other Equality Networks / Societies

Support

Nilaari: A counselling service for our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community

The service is a culturally appropriate counselling service based in Bristol who provide help and support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people. Their counsellors are trained and qualified in the same way as our own University Wellbeing staff, with whom they meet regularly to ensure a joined up approach to student support.

Nilaari offer a range of therapies for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people experiencing:

• stress and worry
• general anxiety and depression
• low self-esteem and low confidence

 As with many services in this sector, there may be a waitlist for accessing support. Please avail yourself of other support should you need while you wait. Information about central wellbeing is at the bottom of this list, plus do reach out to your GP or urgent services shoudl you require. 

Black, African and Asian Therapy Network

This site has a list of free services available throughout the UK which offer counselling specifically set up to serve the BAME community. Many of these services encourage you to self-refer but if you are unsure your GP/doctor can signpost or assist you with a referral.

BEAT Eating Disorders

BEAT Eating Disorders are a charity, and have collated research and videos to tackle perceptions & media stereotypes around eating disorders, and to show that diverse communities are just as affected.

Aspire2inspire Dyslexia

Aspire2inspire Dyslexia have a series of podcasts aimed at the BAME community about dyslexia, and aim to raise awareness within the local community of Dyslexia and several other learning difficulties. 

Menopause Whilst Black

Menopause Whist Black by Karen Arthur is a series of podcasts opening the long overdue conversation about diversity in menopause, and places the experience of Black, British women of the menopause front and centre by sharing their stories - positive and negative. 

Black Out UK

BlackOut UK is a not-for-profit social enterprise run and owned by a volunteer collective of Black gay men, for Black queer men. It focusses on the need to talk; to each other and to the communities we are part of. It is a space to think, shout, show off, curse, celebrate, laugh, reflect and share, to hear and to be heard.

Therapy for Black Girls

Therapy for Black Girls seeks to break down the barriers experienced by Black women in accessing therapy, and in finding a therapist who understands their experience, and can provide compassionate and constructive support. As well as a Find a Therapist portal and mailing list, there are also other resources including blog posts and a podcast (also available on Spotify).

Togetherall

You can request online counselling with a BAME practitioner from Togetherall upon referral from Wellbeing Services. Referral can be discussed by booking an appointment with a Wellbeing advisor, or contacting using the information below. 

University Student Wellbeing

The Wellbeing Service provide free advice, guidance and support for students. If you are based on our Cornwall campuses, please visit the Cornwall wellbeing pages.
Students can access our service remotely by phone or email, or book in-person appointments.
Students can also access urgent support, on campus or remotely, whenever needed.
Please see our Wellbeing Services summary leaflet for information on the full range of support we have to offer, including urgent support, ILP appointments for disability support or DSA-funded mentoring.

If you are unsure what support is best for you, please ring us on 01392 724381 or email wellbeing@exeter.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

University Staff Wellbeing

The Colleague Wellbeing pages have links to available support for University Staff including pages on various avenues for mental health support, Occupational Health and Spectrum Life, the free 24/7 telephone support service.

There is also self-care advice including support for alocohol, drugs, smoking, and sleep, as well as support for support with sickness absence, working with disability.  There is also an extensive A-Z of Wellbeing support to help you connect you with what you may need, even if this information is hosted elsewhere on the University site. Please explore these pages and the tabs across the top should you need any support, and reach out.