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“The university is a critical institution or it is nothing”
This page is a collaboration between the University of Brighton Libraries and Students Union to celebrate Black History Month
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warns that the danger in telling one type of story is that it deforms the world into a series of stereotypes which ultimately creates inequality.
Charles Smith explores how art can be used to recover and amplify Black history. Smith discusses the power of storytelling and creative expression to challenge dominant narratives and present a fuller picture of Black experiences.
The UoB Libraries BHM team, based at Aldrich Library, have created a programme of displays, reading materials and activities, highlighting resources available through UoB Libraries which are accessible to the entire university.
On this page you will find a digital display of films and accompanying written resources focused on reclaiming aspects of black British and black African life, history and culture. For a in-depth exploration, you will find a bespoke reading list which addresses issues of reclaiming narratives and history. For those of a more relaxed disposition, below you can listen to a radio show co-created by UoB Libraries staff Ronnie Williams and Steve Brooks on the musical origins of the current Afrobeats style.
All three of our campus libraries are offering special displays of images and library resources, so you can drop in at any time during October to get a closer look.
We hope that you enjoy these contributions and look forward to the conversations they may generate! We would love to hear your thoughts, so please get in touch via email, or drop a comment on our social media
The digital presentation above showcases films by Black filmmakers, reclaiming aspects of Black British and Black African life, history and culture. All the films featured are available to watch for free through Box of Broadcasts (UoB login required), and the many print resources mentioned are available through the library catalogue.
Click below to listen to a Radio Lewes Vapour Trails BHM special curated together with Steve Brooks of Falmer Library, exploring musical styles that have paved the way for the Afrobeats craze, with a tour of musical styles from various parts of Africa.
If you've been inspired by the presentation above, click below to watch a short video and learn how to create your own playlists in Box of Broadcasts.
How to make a playlist in Box of Broadcasts »
Follow @UoBLibraries and @SUBrighton for even more content, as well as coverage of physical displays in our libraries throughout October.
A bespoke reading list addressing issues of reclaiming narratives and history. This list offers challenges to accepted narratives of Black African, Caribbean, American and European history.
A selection of resources designed to support the teaching of Black History in schools. The list also contains a number of texts addressing ongoing issues of identity and racism suitable for younger readers.
A collaborative list of library resources compiled by staff across the University of Brighton
At the University of Brighton, our commitment to celebrating and learning from Black history is year-round. While Black History Month this October gives us a special opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and amplify Black voices, we believe that fostering inclusion and understanding is an ongoing responsibility.
We encourage you to be part of this journey as we work towards a more inclusive future together.
Click below to view a Padlet compiled by UoB staff as a tool for people who want to learn more about racism and how to combat it.
To find out more about how you can get involved, and our ongoing commitment to inclusivity, click below.
This resource is designed to support the discovery of documents relating to Black British history within The National Archives’ collections. The term ‘Black British history’ in this context refers to records relating to British citizens of African and African-Caribbean descent
Find out more about Black History Collections in the IHR Wohl Library. We collect historical sources and guides to finding and using sources. This page also shows examples from the collections.
Black Cultural Archives is the only national heritage centre dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating the histories of African and Caribbean people in Britain.
