Our University marks Black History Month

Our University has marked Black History Month 2016 with exhibitions, talks, theatre and film showings.

Influential black and ethnic minority scientists have been celebrated throughout the month in the Department of Physics and Astronomy as well as in the College of Medicine, Biological Sciences & Psychology.

Journalist, author and political commentator Yasmin Alibhai-Brown offered her own searching personal insight into how we might address  issues of equality, diversity and belonging  in 21st century Britain – and where exactly questions of gender equality fit into this equation. Yasmin assessed the state of Britain today as a complex multi-faith, multi-cultural pluralist society facing new dilemmas. The event was the second annual lecture organised by the unit for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement (DICE) at the University of Leicester.

Throughout November, as part of the Literary Leicester festival, there will be a number of events, including a panel discussion on Writing and Racism; a rare public screening of the documentary A Regular Black: The Hidden History of Wuthering Heights, which presents the historical case for arguing that Brontë's Heathcliff was a black man; a celebration of the launch of Closure, the first Black British short story anthology in fifteen years; and a performance of Sorry! No Coloureds, No Irish, No Dogs, a play which explored racism, migration and the transatlantic slave trade. 

Chandni Purohit, Chair of the BAME staff equality forum, said: “It is so important to continually celebrate our racial diversity and respect our shared experiences and differences. By working together we can make a difference in raising awareness of the issues faced by BAME staff and students and undertake pro-active action to advancing race equality.”

• The University of Leicester is committed to ensuring its successes drive local enterprise and business and contribute to the success of the city and region.