Black History Month.

Black History Month 2023: Celebrating Our Sisters

What is Black History Month?

October marks Black History Month, the event was first officially celebrated in the UK in 1987. Black History Month gives everyone the opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of Black heritage and culture. People from African and Caribbean backgrounds have been a fundamental part of British history for centuries.  However, their value and contribution to society is often overlooked or ignored. It is during black history month that we reaffirm our commitment to the inclusion and celebration of Black people in our society. 

How to get involved

The SU Bath are keen for our student groups, clubs and societies to take the lead in commemorating Black History Month this year and commemorate the achievements of black pioneers in their areas of interest.  
 

Could your Arts Society host a scratch night, or a table read of poems and plays by black authors? Are there games developed by black game designers that would make a great addition to games nights and campaigns? Are there events in Bath or Bristol that would be suitable for your group to attend? From talks to workshops, there are many ways to engage with Black History Month.   
 

If you have ideas for an event that your society would want to run but aren’t sure where to begin with planning, please feel free to reach out to your staff contact at The SU! We can assist with getting your event up and running and direct you to the resources you’ll need to plan your event. We are in the process of organising central SU events, initiatives, and activities in collaboration with student groups and the University.

If you wish to get involved with these please email su-liberation@bath.ac.uk with any questions or ideas you have for the year's celebrations.

You can also check out events being organised by The University for Black History Month 2023

We have funding!

If you are looking to put on an activity or a campaign you can apply for funding. All groups can apply for a Campaign Budget and all societies have access to Central Budget Fund. Additionally, the SU has some funds we can put towards collaborations for Black History Month. Make sure you email su-liberation@bath.ac.uk to suggest collaborations.

Black History Month in Bath 

This celebration will be a chance to familiarise outselves with Bath's and the South West's Black History. Most UK schools still teach a history curriculum which focuses on the perspectives and the achievements of overwhelmingly white historical figures. Read more about the situation and a social movement wanting to solve it by introducing a Black Curriculm.

Locally:

• Come along to events happening in Bath throughout October and November, including a visit from historian David Olusoga and the hit musical ‘Whitney – Queen of the Night’.
• There are also lots of things going on in neighbouring Bristol too! These include the Bristol Transatlantic Slavery Walk, ‘Black Sheep’ Circus event and ‘I Am Not Your Negro’.

Nationally:

• Take part in the National Black History Month Poetry Competition, which is open to all students within the UK.
• Take a look at the National Archives collection dedicated to Black British history, including the Windrush 75.
• Read about Joe Clough, the first black bus driver, Bishop Wilfred Wood, the Church of England’s first black Bishop or Dame Jocelyn Barrow, Windrush pioneer.
• Fancy some more reading? Take a look at this reading list for Black History Month.
• There are lots of free or low cost events which you can join online, including history talks, author talks, virtual tours and many more!