Black History Month 2024
2024
About Black History Month
Black History Month happens every October in the UK and is a key campaign within the University's annual calendar of events. This month is a celebration of Black History, and a launch pad for ongoing activity throughout the year. This year, the theme for Black History Month is Reclaiming Narratives.
About This Year's Theme: Reclaiming Narratives
Each year for Black History Month there is a theme that activity and resources might be centred around. The theme this year is Reclaiming Narratives. As described by the Black History Month website introduction to the annual theme:
For too long, the history of Black communities has been told through lenses that often misrepresent, oversimplify, or entirely overlook the rich and diverse experiences of those who lived it. For far too long, Black histories have been narrated by others, leading to distorted portrayals that fail to capture the full breadth and depth of Black experiences. By emphasising “Reclaiming Narratives,” we shine a brighter light on Black stories, allegories, and history. This theme underscores a commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and showcasing the untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage. It's about honouring Black heroes while challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally.
You can read more about this year's theme on the Black History Month website.
Our Race Equality Work
As we approach the mid term review of our Race Equality Charter application, we are hard at work with our Race Equality action plan. Visit our dedicated Race Equality Charter Priorities pages, where you can see the breakdown of the five priorities driving the University's race equality work, and how we are going to achieve them.
Upcoming Events and Resources for BHM2024
Below you can see our calendar of events and activities going on in and around our campuses. We will add more pages to the calendar and more details on upcoming activity regularly, so please do check back so you don't miss out!
If you would like your events and activities to be included and promoted here, or have resources or support offerings you think would make good additions to this page, then let us know by adding to the tracker (please email us if you do not have this) or by emailing details to edi@exeter.ac.uk
Click through the tabs below for events happening for Black History Month across our campuses and in the wider community. Check back regularly as more tabs for later weeks, further information and events get added throughout the month!
There are also a range of resources for more information, media recommendations, and support, added to over the month.
W/C 30th September 2024
Below is a list of highlight events for BHM 2024 for the week commencing 30th September 2024.
Check back regularly for updated information and new events added throughout the month.
Reclaiming Narratives: Making Black British History Sources More Discoverable
Wednesday 2nd October, 14:30-16:30.
Who: Students, Staff
Where: Room LTB10, Hatherly Labs, Streatham Campus.
Tickets: Free - Please register via Eventbrite.
Are you passionate about studying Black British history at the University of Exeter? Do you want to make a difference and help improve the way our institution foregrounds historical Black voices in our curriculum?
Come along to this workshop to explore the challenges of discovering Black British histories within archives, and help identify and showcase these histories in the library's digital collections. Together, we’ll create a new Black British History online guide to share these important histories.
The first half of the session will feature a discussion with Dr Ryan Hanley (Archaeology and History), who has just completed a biography of British-Jamaican, 19th-century radical abolitionist Robert Wedderburn. Dr Hanley is a foremost expert on Black British History, and his research engages with archival material and the problems faced by researchers as we try to overcome the biases which can structure archives.
We’ll also be joined by AM Digital, one of our digital Heritage database providers, to provide a publishers’ perspective on the discovery and digitisation of Black British histories.
In the second half of the workshop, Nicki Nye will provide hands-on training, as you help us recover sources which reveal Black experiences, thus decolonising the library records at the University of Exeter. With her expert guidance, you will search across our online collections to find these hidden Black British histories and showcase them, thereby contributing towards the creation of a new Black British History libguide, which will help students and researchers at all levels.
The World Reimagined Globe Launch - Streatham
Friday 4th October, 13:00-17:00.
Who: Everyone welcome!
Where: Queen's Building, Streatham Campus.
Tickets: Please register here to attend
The Faculty of HASS and the BME Network are delighted to invite you to The World Reimagined Globe Launch: ‘Uncertain Voyage'.
The full programme will be confirmed in due course, and will include a musical performance, exhibitions, and keynote speakers across the afternoon. Specific locations in the Queen's Building include: The Quad, Digital Humanities Seminar Room 1, Senior Common Room, Foyer (between the Queen's Cafe and Senior Common Room).
The World Reimagined is a ground-breaking art installation project which aims to redefine how we understand the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its lasting impact.
The university has been gifted two globes from this initiative, with one now installed at Exeter, Streatham Campus. The globe was gifted to the University on the agreement that it would be used for hosting educational and cultural events and activities.
The Exeter (Streatham Campus) based globe - ‘Uncertain Voyage’: A complex Triangle created by Nadia Akingbule.
Read more about the two Globes, based at our Penryn and Exeter Campuses.
Falmouth Reggae Festival (External Event) (£)
Friday 4th October, 12:00 - Saturday 5th October, 23:30.
Where: Princess Pavilion (and other venues) in Falmouth
Who: All
Tickets: Required, prices vary. Available here.
Welcome to FRF 2024 - returning to its tropical seaside home at Princess Pavilion for another vibe filled year of handpicked Reggae, food, rum 'n' vibes.
Featuring acts including Kabaka Pyramid, Linval Thompson and Da Fuchaman, with after sessions at Fives, Kings and The Cornish Bank. Check Facebook for the full line-up.
Tickets: Friday: £29.40, Saturday: £36.75, weekend: £47.25. Weekend 12 – 18s: £11. Under 12s go free.
This event usually sells out, so book tickets soon to avoid missing out!
Below is a list of learning resources that you can access for BHM 2024!
Black History Month Central Webpages
More information about Black History Month, including introductions to this years theme (Reclaiming Narratives) can be found on the Black History Month website.
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 all y ear round, 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.
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 in the Upper Gallery of the museum on the Streatham campus. The exhibition, created after feedback at a community Black History Month event in 2021 was curated by student intern Chloe Jarrett-Bell, and expanded further by Chloe in 2024.
Read Chloe’s blog on curating the display and her digital exhibitions and podcasts on Black Screen History.
The exhibition can be visited in the upper gallery of the Bill Douglas Museum on Streatham campus.
Free entry, no ticket required.
Revisit Past Resources
Pre-Recorded Academic Lecture Series
There are 16 lecture recordings available on a number of topics, all produced by Exeter University academics and PhD students. These are appropriate for a wide audience. Check out the topics available and dive in!
Student Voices Blogs
You may wish to revisit these fantastic essays written last year 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 previous years by some of our students sharing what makes them 'Proud To Be'.
Black History Month X Stonewall
LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall last year put together a number of resources for 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)
Connect
Staff Networks
- The Collective for Racial Justice (Formerly called the BME Network) Open to staff and students across our campuses.
- International Staff and PG Network
- List of other Equality Networks / Societies
Student Societies (Devon)
- African and Caribbean Society Student's Guild page.
- Students of Colour Assosciation Student's Guild page.
- The Collective for Racial Justice (Formerly called the BME Network). Open to staff and students across our campuses. Join form here
- Students Of Colour Community Feed
- Full list of Exeter student societies
Student Societies (Cornwall)
- African Caribbean Society and the Exeter and Falmouth ACS Instagram
- The Collective for Racial Justice (Formerly called the BME Network). Open to staff and students across our campuses.
- Full list of Cornwall student 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.