Monday 09-09-2019 - 09:00

Pan-African Festival, David Olusoga and Vanessa Kisuule are all confirmed as part of the programme. 

The full line up of events for the University of Bristol Students’ Union Black History Month programme has now been revealed. 

The Black History Month programme has been pulled together by the student BME Network in collaboration with the Bristol SU events team and BME success programme. 

The keynote speaker will be prominent historian Professor David Olusoga who will be speaking on the topic of Windrush. In this talk he will place the Windrush Scandal within the context of Black British History.  

Black History Month is essential in promoting community cohesion through the teaching, learning and exploration of Black history. The programme has been designed with this in mind. 

Building on the success of last year’s programme, which included a panel event with Munroe Bergdorf and The Slumflower on Being a Black Woman Creative, this year’s is the biggest yet with a long line up of events for students, staff and the local community. 

This year the conversation will continue with a number of cultural events such as a poerty evening with Tjawangwa Dema and Vanessa Kisuule, a screening of Rafiki screened by Afrika Eye, and a celebratory Pan-African Festival to close the month. 

Omar Chowdhury, Chair of the Bristol SU BME Network said: 

“Black History Month is crucial because it allows us all to learn about, and celebrate, a history that is too frequently neglected in the mainstream. We believe that learning about Black History empowers Black people and enriches us all, as by understanding the past we can better understand the present. For non-Black people like myself, Black History Month is a time of reflection on the lived history of Black people, and how we can better be allies in their continuing fight for freedoms in society.” 

“The discourse on Black History is often dominated by America, so this year we decided to put an emphasis on showcasing Black British History and Culture, particularly in Bristol. There are so many amazing events to attend in our Black History Month programme this year but I am most excited about The Seven Saints of St Pauls® Art & Heritage Trail which will take students and staff on a guided tour through iconic places in Bristol’s Black History.” 

Events will take place throughout the month, with a number of different options available each week. The programme has been supported by Santander. 
 
Tickets and full details of the Black History Month programme are available now at www.bristolsu.org.uk/blackhistorymonth.