Over the years, SUBU have put together a variety of events to inspire, support and educate during the month of October, and this year is no different. The events that we run during Black History Month exist to create safe spaces for BU's Black community, and to educate others on the inequalities that have existed through history.
This month isn't about just discussing the hardships that black people have had to face. It's about celebrating all that comes with who we have been blessed to be. Acknowledging Black is beautiful and more than a struggle.
We hope you enjoy our Black History Month celebrations.
Black History Month is a month long celebration of Black people and their contributions and accomplishments past and present. As well as a celebration it is also an opportunity to learn and discuss Black history and it's importance in history in the UK and globally.
In the UK Black History Month is celebrated in October but North America it is celebrate in February. The reason for this difference is because when Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo looked to set up Black History Month in the UK in the 1980s. February was already LGBTQ+ History Month and so this plus the idea that it was early enough in the academic year, schools could focus on teaching Black history without worrying about exams, October was picked as the perfect month.
This year we have been working with your Black Students' Officer, the African and Caribbean Society, Society of Nigerian Students and Full-Time Officers to put together a programme of events to celebrate and highlight the Black community at BU and locally. In addition to this BU have a few things going on too which you cna find below.
Getting involved couldn't be easier! - Just click on the event you are interested in below to find out more and grab your ticket where needed.
There are a number of ways to be an ally for the Black community be it coming along to events that are open to everyone, donating to charities that help the Black community or learning through the various resources on SUBU's Allyship Hub which can be found by clicking the button below!
At SUBU, we know that while Black History Month is a time where the spotlight is on the Black community and their invaluable contributions to history, past and present, it is important to empower and champion our Black students all year round and to be an active ally to them too.
This is where the Black Students' Network comes in! Whether you are a part of the Black community at BU or are an ally you can easily be kept up to date by self-defining with the network below