In the month of October and throughout the academic year, we are hosting events and holding space to explore Black history, casting an eye on where the past has taken Black realities in the current day.
From Black History Month to Black History Year
Anthony McPherson, a colleague at the University, explains why we have chosen to celebrate Black History all year round:
Historically, Black History Month has provided a dedicated period to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black individuals, addressing often overlooked or marginalised aspects of history. Carter G. Woodson, who first established the concept in 1926, envisioned at least a week each year where Black history would be taught, ensuring recognition of the significant impact Black people have had on society.
However, history should be woven into the fabric of everyday narrative, not confined to a single month. Such limitations can suggest that Black history is separate from or less integral to mainstream history, which is a notion that perpetuates the status quo. The recognition by the University of Westminster that Black History Month is now Black History Year is a commendable step towards dismantling this outdated perspective. This approach ensures that the contributions of Black individuals are acknowledged and celebrated continuously, fostering an inclusive environment where all histories are integral to our collective understanding.
Celebrating Black History Year challenges us to confront and address ongoing issues for equity, diversity, and inclusion rather than relegating these discussions to a single month. The vision of elevating Black History Month to Black History Year by its centenary in 2026 pays homage to Woodson's pioneering work and acknowledges the ongoing struggle for recognition and equality.
The focus must be on solutions and proactive measures to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive teaching of history. Universities and other educational institutions play a crucial role in this endeavour. The University of Westminster's commitment exemplifies how academic institutions can spearhead this progressive shift, ensuring that Black history is not merely an adjunct to mainstream education but a fundamental part of it.
By integrating Black history into the curriculum year-round, we not only honour the contributions of Black individuals but also enrich the educational experience for all students. This approach promotes a more accurate and inclusive understanding of history, fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated every day, not just for thirty or thirty-one days a year.
In conclusion, transitioning from Black History Month to Black History Year is a significant and necessary progression. It acknowledges the importance of continually educating and celebrating Black history, ensuring we move towards a more inclusive and truthful representation of our shared past. The focus now is rightly on solutions and actionable steps towards equity, diversity, and inclusion in educational institutions and beyond. Out of many, we are one people; so let’s continue to have the conversation.
Celebrating black history
The University of Westminster’s Black History Year showcases our commitment to Black History reflecting the richness of our University – past and present.
It's a celebration of Black history, stories, lives, politics, creativity, and achievement. And it is a chance to learn from and share space with, amazing Black historians, musicians, executives, writers, artists, thinkers, academics and our own alumni.
To this end, we seek to educate, enlighten, inspire and create community – in our university and beyond.
Events
Managing your personal and business finances
20 November 2024
A virtual Skills Lab workshop on Managing Your Personal and Business Finances, organised by WeNetwork, university's enterprise hub.
Read more about Managing your personal and business finances
Analytics for business
27 November 2024
A virtual Skills Lab workshop on Analytics for Business, organised by WeNetwork, university's enterprise hub.
Read more about Analytics for business
Reclaiming whose narratives? Exploring the roots of racism
5 December 2024
As part of our Black History Year event programme, we'd like to welcome you to join us and our guest speaker Jeffrey Boakye.
Read more about Reclaiming whose narratives?
Holding the Space conference 2025
15 January 2025
This conference aims to provide a vibrant platform for Black academics, students, practitioners and professional services colleagues.
News
Levi Roots unveils Black History wall at the University of Westminster
Westminster Honorary Doctorate Levi Roots visited Regent Campus on 7 October to unveil one of the University’s new permanent wall murals in celebration of its flagship programme Black History Year.
Find out moreGo to the Levi Roots unveils Black History wall at the University news page
Westminster’s Black History Year reaches five-year milestone
The University of Westminster is celebrating five-years since the launch of Black History Year (BHY), an initiative that celebrates Black history, stories, lives, politics, creativity and achievement all year round.
Find out moreGo to news page about Black History Year reaching its five-year milestone
Alumnus who is one of Britain’s first Black athletes to win an Olympic medal honoured with commemorative plaque
John Edward London, a Westminster alumnus and Britain’s third Black Olympian, was honoured in Newcastle with a commemorative plaque.
Westminster’s Black History Year Researchers Network holds first residential writing retreat
Following a writing retreat in November 2023 at International Students House in London, members of the University's Black History Year Researchers Network attended a residential writing retreat at the Abbey in Sutton Courteney in July 2024.
BHY celebrates 2024
Initiatives
BHY Beyond Books
Within the broader Black History Year program, we aim to explore and emphasise the representation of Black identity in the arts and culture sphere. To achieve this, we are excited to introduce "BHY Beyond Books" in April 2023. This initiative will involve the review and analysis of a series, book, and film that specifically showcase Black British representation. We invite you to join us for a stimulating and thought-provoking discussion centred around Black history and culture during this event.
BHY Create
The "Black History Year Create" program is a six-month initiative designed to empower Black university students at Level 6. It focuses on enhancing their confidence, visibility, and individuality as they prepare to enter the workforce after graduation. This program takes a decolonized approach, addressing issues like tokenism, microaggressions, and systemic racism. Following a successful pilot year, it will continue in its second year in 2023/24 with a larger group of participants.
BHY Researchers Network
The BHY Researchers Network was set up by the BHY Steering Group to specifically address the needs of Black academics at the University of Westminster. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) published a report on 13 July 2021 revealing that Black staff are significantly less likely than white staff to submit their research to the REF. Furthermore, they are less likely to become principal investigators or co-investigators, publish research in high-quality journals or obtain grants – all important for academic career development.
The network addresses this gap by supporting Black academics to develop research and grant writing skills through dedicated training sessions and writing retreats. If you would like to learn more, please contact [email protected].
Black history at the university
Black History archive
Watch our archive video which showcases a collection of articles, photos and fragments from the University’s archive, piecing together black student and staff narratives, counter narratives and experiences.
Student music
The music playing in the archive video is from Westminster music student Moses Mwanga - check out more of Moses’ great work on Bandcamp.
What does Black History mean?
We wanted to know, what does Black History Month mean? We posed this question to our students to start a discussion about Black History Month.
Events playlist
Check out our Black History past events playlist, covering an array of topics, including mental health, women’s power and creativity.
How to be an ally – different conversations
In this episode of the University of Westminster Podcast filmed during Black History Month, Stephen Bunbury, a Senior Lecturer at Westminster Law School speaks to Kate M. Graham, Lecturer in English Literature about what it takes to be an ally. The pair discuss the difficulties in understand that can be met and how to handle certain situations.
Confronting my imposter
This discussion provides a supportive insight into Imposter Syndrome in women, with a focus on Black women.