At King’s, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and culturally competent environment. Our academics, including the most recent appointment of Dr Nicola Rollock as Professor of Social Policy and Race, are continuing to inform and contribute to debates on racial justice and developing ideas to further advance the university’s inclusive environment in support of our black community.
Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President (Global Engagement)
01 October 2021
Black History Month 2021
To mark Black History Month, there will be a range of events taking place across King’s College London and stories shared celebrating the accomplishments of our black community.
Black History Month (BHM) has been widely celebrated across the UK from 1st - 31st October each year.
Events taking place across the university this month include:
Visible Skin - Rediscovering the Renaissance through Black Portraiture
A still largely unexplored facet of the Renaissance is the diverse, multicultural European life represented in its art, particularly the representation of Black individuals. In this new exhibition open throughout October until December, opera singer and BBC broadcaster Peter Brathwaite is restaging famous paintings with everyday household objects. Peter restaged works that focused specifically on Black portraiture, using items from his family’s past, and from his cultural heritage in Barbados and Britain.
Working with researchers from King’s Renaissance Skin project and King’s Culture, 11 photographs will be shown in windows across King’s Strand Campus.
As part of the exhibition Join Dr Hannah Murphy, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow & Lecturer in Early Modern History, on the Black History: Step by step -Visible Skin Walking Tour where she will further explore the themes of race, colonialism, diversity, and the histories written about them. The tour will be followed by a short discussion with Dr Murphy.
Monday 11 October - Tuesday 12 October - Elements and advances in Sickle Cell Care
Sickle cell is the most common inherited condition worldwide, largely effecting people of African descent as well as those from the Caribbean, Middle East, parts of India and the Mediterranean, and South and Central America. Professor Eugene Oteng-Ntim has curated a conference to coincide with Black History Month to highlight current available care and support for people with sickle cell, which includes research and advances being made in this area. The conference features globally renowned speakers, including experts from King’s College London.
Sign up here
Thursday 21 October - Panel Event: ‘Navigating Cultures through our Caring’
King’s will also be sharing blog posts on this year’s Black History Month theme ‘Proud To Be’. The authors will write about what they are proud of as well as highlighting the contributions the King's makes to society.
This work includes the introduction of a new module which offers students from any discipline or subject across the university the opportunity to explore the university's historic associations with colonialism. Students will also investigate the histories and experiences of our diverse communities, as well as carry out hands-on research in King’s archives, museums and special collections.
Black History Month is an opportunity for focused reflection on the outstanding achievements made by our black students, staff and alumni at King’s and a moment to learn more about their experiences. Through our research, education and service strategies, we are working to understand, intervene and address racial and social inequality here at King’s and elsewhere. While October is a time to celebrate this work, it is something we do every day of the year.
Professor Evelyn Welch, Senior Vice President (Service, People & Planning)
To keep up to date with events and resources follow @KCLdiversity
In this story
Vice President (International, Engagement & Service)
Former Senior Vice President (Service, People & Planning)