Wolfson celebrates Black History Month with range of events

Black History Month 2022 by Claudia Brown
22/09/2022

October marks an international month of recognition for the important contributions of Black scholars, artists and activists, as well as key events in the history of the African continent and her diaspora.

Black History Month 2022 by Claudia Brown

Wolfson is hosting a range of events and activities to commemorate and celebrate Black History Month. These events are open to all University members, and details of each event are listed in the accordion sections below. The convenors of the Black History Month programme are Annoa Abekah-Mensah and Dr Kenny Monrose.

Events list

Wed 5 Oct - Afro-Caribbean lunch menu

An Afro-Caribbean inspired lunch menu will be served in the Cafeteria between 12.30-2pm on Wed 5 Oct. You can view the menu options, prices and allergens via the Cafeteria webpage.

Tue 11 Oct - "Rafiki" LGBTQ+ film screening

Join the WCSA LGBTQ+ reps for a film screening of "Rafiki" to celebrate National Coming Out Day, in the Lee Room from 7-9pm.

Thur 13 Oct - Black Women in Business (Dr Maggie Semple OBE and Jane Oremosu)

In this event, Wolfson student Annoa Abekah-Mensah will chat with Dr Maggie Semple OBE and Jane Oremosu, two black women with extensive business acumen, about their work and experiences in the corporate space, and their professional services company I-Cubed Group, which offers diversity and inclusion training and solutions.

The conversation will take place from 6.30-8pm in the Combination Room (above the Porters' Lodge), with a drinks reception served beforehand from 6-6.30pm. Registration is required via Eventbrite.

Fri 14 Oct – Afro-Caribbean Music Night

Music in the Club Room from 8:30pm until the bar closes.

Mon 17 Oct - Black History Month book club

Join the WCSA Welfare team on Mon 17 Oct from 7-8.30pm, for a book club session around Poor by Caleb Femi. The session will be led by Ana Maria Villaveces (PhD candidate at King's in Latin American Studies), and Sophie Marie Niang (PhD candidate at Jesus in Sociology). For more information and links to the readings, please visit the Book Club event page.

Wed 19 Oct - "Finding Fela" film screening

Join the WCSA Welfare team for a film screening of "Finding Fela" in the Lee Room from 7-9pm.

Thur 20 Oct - Dreams from my Mother (Dame Elizabeth Anionwu)

Wolfson student Annoa Abekah-Mensah speaks with Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, a nurse, lecturer, professor and author, about her life, as detailed in her new autobiography Dreams from my Mother, discussing her time as a young child in care, her experience in nursing and journey into sickle-cell and thalassemia research, and her work in black activism.

This event will take place from 6:30-8pm via Zoom. Register for the link via Eventbrite.

Wed 26 Oct - Black History Month Dinner

The 2022 Black History Month Dinner will take place from 7.15-9.15pm on Wednesday 26 October in the Dining Hall.

There will be a drinks reception, special themed menu and silver service in the style of a Formal Hall, however there will be no dress code requirements, so attendees may choose to wear traditional or national dress. Registration is required via the online booking form.

Thur 27 Oct - How can we educate children about anti-racism? (Laura Henry-Allain MBE)

Laura Henry-Allain MBE is an award-winning international writer, motivational and keynote speaker and consultant. She is the creator of the well-loved CBeebies show JoJo and Gran Gran, of which she is the associate producer.

In this event, Laura Henry Allain MBE will discuss her work in education and race and anti-racism education in children’s TV and books. 

The conversation will take place from 6.30-8pm in the Combination Room (above the Porters' Lodge), with a drinks reception served beforehand from 6-6.30pm. Registration is required via Eventbrite.

1- 31 Oct - Black History Month book collection

The Wolfson Lee Library have curated a special Black History Month collection which you can view and borrow via the display in the Reading Room, above the library foyer.

You can also access the collection (with links to ebooks) via Pinterest.

Illustration by Claudia Brown.

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