A recap of BHM celebrations held at City in 2021
For Black History Month 2021 City celebrated the stories and experiences of Black people through panel discussions, sharing critical resources and a live podcast event. Black History is more than just a month to us and we are committed to improving the experiences of our Black colleagues and those from other ethnic minorities.
27th October 2021
Black History Month Unfiltered
Organised by the Network for Racial Justice
This one-hour panel discussion was a live and interactive recording of the fourth episode of the NRJ Podcast. Hosted by Journalism Senior Lecturer, Coral James O’Connor, NRJ members Michelle-Louise Yembra, Nadja Abia and Dr Ohemaa Nkansa-Dwamena offered their insights into the key issues concerning black staff and students with regards to mental health.
If you are a member of staff you can access the recording of the event here: Network for Racial Justice | City, University of London
27th October 2021
Narratives of Black Empowerment
Organised by Diana Yeh, Associate Dean EDI from the School of Arts & Social Sciences
As well as sharing findings from the Decolonising SASS Survey, there was an exciting line-up of brilliant, inspirational Black speakers from SASS and City more widely, who celebrated Black empowerment, experiences and joy in journalism, mental health and higher education.
Resources disseminated by Michelle Ellis, Associate Dean for Culture Equality and Engagement from the School of Health Sciences
- Information was circulated on a weekly basis for colleagues including general resources like books videos, journal articles on key Black people in history related to health.
- Work to decolonise structures and curricula continued
- Michelle Ellis met different members of staff to ensure race equality was kept on their agenda
Update from Professor Lilian de Menezes, Associate Dean EDI, Bayes Business School
- A series of walks have been created educate members on sites related to slavery across London.
- There is also a new Black in Business society who will put on events throughout the year.
- Bayes Business School also now has an EDI webpage. Diversity, equity and inclusion | Bayes Business School (city.ac.uk)
29th October 2021
A Decolonised City
Organised by the City Students’ Union
This event was attended by over 300 people and focused on how City can achieve a decolonised environment and better represent students.
We must challenge and resist colonial influences in our education, in our services and in our social spaces. To question management structures, staff representation, our white curriculum, our library books and all that which affects our education and University journey. We call for a new era for education, by reforming and diversifying the curriculum. We are committed to representing all our students and to fight for an educational experience that will enable them to thrive around the world. in every sector of the institution, to expand the curriculum and improve both teaching and course content such as providing more thinkers of colour on reading lists.
