October is Black History Month, and the University of Liverpool is proud once again to join the celebration of Black history, arts and culture throughout the UK.
The theme this year is “Actions not Words”, emphasising the importance of being an ally and taking active steps to create a fairer and more racially just society.
To support this, the University’s Diversity and Equality Team have created a month-long Racial Equity Challenge with a resource or activity to engage with every day throughout October.
Taking part in the challenge will provide an opportunity to build and act on anti-racist principles and skills, find out more about exhibitions in the city, and learn about important figures side-lined from history.
A special online hub has been created to help you navigate through all the insight, action and information for October. It also features recommended books, events, competitions, and exhibitions from The University of Liverpool, as well as links to Black History Month activities taking place across the city.
The Liverpool Guild of Students will also be launching their Black History Month programme as part of a new More than a Month hub that aims to address the disparities in the history we are taught, acting as a reminder that we must all continue to expand our knowledge beyond the history month celebrations and engage with marginalised voices all year round.
Across the wider city, Culture Liverpool have been working with a host of arts and cultural organisations, universities and businesses to create an impressive programme of events that celebrate the power of words through storytelling and factual accounts.
The city will welcome a visit from the US by Dr. Julius Garvey, son of civil rights activist Marcus Garvey. A special commission by Jernice Easthope is to be produced, reflecting on Black women in culture and how they are changing the world. WoWfest will open with Linton Kwesi Johnson, and other festivals include BlackFest, Liverpool Irish Festival and The Gravity Festival.
The events programme from National Museums Liverpool includes a series of thought-provoking displays, topical talks and discussions, and a series of activities for families. Highlights include Inspirational Black Scousers and the launch of the Dorothy Kuya Archive Project.
Visit the University’s Black History Month hub page to find out more about what’s going on.