Black History Month

Black History Month – what's on

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

October is the Black History Month, a time to celebrate the history, achievements and contributions of black people in the United Kingdom. It is also an opportunity to reflect on racial experiences within the University and wider community, as well as racial injustices – with a view to helping change how things are.

Colleagues from across our University have put together an exciting programme of events to mark the month. All the events will be virtual (conducted over Microsoft Teams) and you can participate by completing this short online form.

The list below is by no means comprehensive, so if your own School of Function has organised an event that you'd like to share, please email communications@reading.ac.uk.

Please note the list has been updated since original publication on 1 October.

DATE	TIME	EVENT
Wednesday 7 October	13.00-15.00	A conversation on race: the Ethnicity Awarding Gap at the School of Law Dr Allan Laville, Dean for Diversity & Inclusion Dr Bolanle Adebola, School of Law Dr Billy Wong, Institute of Education
Monday 12 October	12.00-13.00	BAME Students in English Literature: A Network Dr Nicola Abram, Department of English Literature Yinka Olaniyan, UoR 2020 Graduate Click here to join the event
Wednesday 14 October	12:00 - 13:00	Decolonising the Curriculum Dr Sarah Cardey, International Development Dr Matthew Windsor, School of Law Click here to join the event
Wednesday 14 October	13.00-15.00	Blacklisted? Are Black people excluded from institutions in the UK? Professor Leslie Thomas QC, Garden Court of Chambers, Professor Kehinde Andrews, Birmingham City University Dr Foluke Adebisi, University of Bristol Use this link to join the event
Friday 16 October	10.00-11.15	Race and trans-Atlantic experiences of the ivory tower-1 A talk by Professor Nduka Otiono, Institute of African Studies at Carleton University Use this link to join the event
Tuesday 20 October	12.00-13.30	Race and trans-Atlantic experiences of the ivory tower-2 Professor Katherine Harloe, University of Reading Professor Olufunmilayo Arewa, Beasley School of Law, Temple University Use this link to join the event
Tuesday 20 October	16:00 - 17:00	RUSU: Black History Month Rachel Wates, RUSU Diversity Officer 2020/21 Ruth Adeniyi, RUSU BAME Officer 2020/21 Use this link to join the event
Wednesday 21 October	14.00-16.00	Race at the School of Law Dr Matthew Windsor, Lecturer Alex Ojo, BAME rep for Law Society Suralini Fernando, Widening Participation Officer Dr Ana Cannilla, Lecturer, Chair Student Experience Committee Use this link to join the event
Wednesday 21 October	15:00 - 16:00	Virtual Roundtable: BAME Students in the UoR History Department Dr Natalie Thomlinson, Department of History Students, Department of History Use this link to join the event
Monday 26 October	19:30 - 21:00	Decolonising Gospel Music Professor Robert Beckford, The Queen's Foundation, Birmingham University of Reading Chaplaincy's Café Théologique Facebook Event Link (Zoom Details in the Description Box)
Tuesday 27 October	12.00-13.30	BAME Allies launch and discussion: anti-racism and allyship Dr Natalie Thomlinson, Department of History Dr Heike Schmidt, Department of History Use this link to join the event
Wednesday 28 October	14:30 - 16:00	If Not Now, Then When? Rob Neil OBE UoR Colleagues representing students, postdoc/early career researchers, academic and professional services staff. Submit questions and register on this page.
Thursday 29 October	18:00 - 19:00	In conversation with Joanna Abeyie, MBE Join us in a virtual conversation with Joanna Abeyie MBE as she shares her experience as a leader and champion of diversity, inclusion and equality. Please use this form to book a place.
	18:00 - 20:00	Black History Month: Be visible. Be brilliant. Be You – Professionals Panel Discussion Link to zoom or email Join our diverse panel of students and professionals to hear about their career journeys, the internal and external barriers they have overcome and how they have achieved success. The focus of this event will be on exploring experiences of recruitment and transition into professional workplaces, and the impact of ethnicity and cultural identity. The event will be chaired by Ruth Adeniyi, RUSU BAME Officer. Speakers Charlynn Koranteng, Recruitment Officer - London, Student Recruitment, KPMG Business Services Tolu Ogunlaiye, Senior Graduate Recruiter and University Partnerships Consultant, FDM Group Marcus - New Maths Graduate Summayah - Finalist Philosophy placement student Hodaviah - Part two SBS student Chinwendu - On placement, FNS student.

We would like to remind colleagues that the University has a Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network focused on:

supporting BAME career progression through targeted communications and programmes
championing increased BAME representation on key University committees
supporting the transition of new BAME colleagues into the University
supporting BAME researchers during their research and work at the University
contributing to the creation of a culturally inclusive University

You can join the network through Microsoft Teams or sign up to be an BAME Ally by emailing bame.network@reading.ac.uk.

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Black History Month – what's on