October brings a new academic year but it also offers the opportunity to celebrate Black talent. A number of events and activities are being staged around the University and the Colleges to mark Black History Month. Some of the details around a couple of events are still being finalised so be sure to keep checking back on this page.
Searching for My Slave Roots: A conversation with author Malik Al Nasir
Thurs 9 October: St Catharine’s College, McGrath Centre
Author Malik Al Nasir (History PhD candidate at St Catharine’s) will be talking about his new book, ‘Searching for My Slave Roots’ (2025 William Collins). This event is organised by the St Catharine’s History Society and the Faculty of Education and is sponsored by the University’s Legacies of Enslavement project and ThinkLab. Malik will be in conversation with Dr Amilcar Pereira from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Game On: Sport, Mental Health, and the Future of Black Excellence
Fri 10 October: St Edmund’s College
Game On brings together an international group of thought leaders from sport, media, and public life to discuss the role of sport in fostering mental health, community empowerment, and Black excellence. Panelists include US Attorney, Joe Briggs, Delroy Corinaldi from the Black Footballers Partnership and the Rev. Calvin Taylor Skinner.
The evening will also feature the Genius for Men awards ceremony, honouring individuals whose work expands the narrative around Black men and holistic wellbeing.
Welcome Walking Tour
Sun 12 October (2 - 4pm)
Join members of the Black Advisory Hub’s FYI Team and other first year students for a guided walking tour of the University from Black student perspectives. Students will make new connections, stop by relevant landmarks and businesses, and enjoy a treat along the route.
Find out more about the Black Advisory Hub
Black@Cambridge: What lies ahead?
Wed 15 October: St Catharine’s College
This half-day event is aimed at understanding the workplace experiences of Black members of staff across the University. It will give attendees an opportunity to share their experiences, hear from guest speakers and participate in three interactive mini-workshops.
Find our more information, or book a ticket
Black History Month Formal Hall
Thurs 16 October: Homerton College
Lord Simon Woolley (Principal, Homerton College) hosts an evening to remember. Homerton’s BHM Formal is now legendary in Cambridge. In past years, the College has welcomed household names from the worlds of politics, business, and fashion. This year promises to be no exception.
Tickets are on a first-come basis.
Homerton students should book their ticket through HUS-President@homerton.cam.ac.uk or MCR-President@homerton.cam.ac.uk
Non-Homerton students should book through the University’s African-Caribbean Society: cambridgeacsenquiries@gmail.com
Other Formals:
Hughes Hall will host its Black History Month formal on Fri 17 October and Girton College has its formal on Thurs 23 October. This will be followed by the presentation of the inaugural William Dusinberre essay prize. For the first time, Gonville and Caius College will host a BHM formal on Mon 27 October (in conjunction with the ACS and the Cambridge Union).
Race Relations 1965: 60 years on
Mon 20 October: Cambridge Union
A panel discussion on how far society has come since the first Race Relations Act 60 years ago. Guest speakers include the writer and Lecturer in Geography at King's College, London, Dalia Gebrial, award-winning rapper, Guvna B, and Lester Holloway, head of communications at Homerton College and former editor of the Voice newspaper.
Through Our Lens: Reflecting on the Black academic journey at Cambridge
Tues 21 October: Jesus College
In a similar vein, the forum Through Our Lens is intended to be an engaging, informal and interactive event that centres the experiences, contributions and challenges faced by Black scholars at various stages of the academic journey at the University of Cambridge. The event seeks to illuminate the systemic barriers faced by Black academics, as well as celebrate their resistance, scholarship and trailblazing within the academy. This forum will serve as a space to amplify the personal and professional journeys of Black academics at Cambridge.
Join the Black educators' forum 'Through the Lens' event
Memory - Fragments and Historical Truths
Thurs 23 October: Girton College
Artist Valda Jackson will deliver a lecture in which she'll talk about what inspires her. A member of the Royal Society of Sculptors, Valda's work has been seen and exhibited throughout the UK and includes the life-size public sculpture 'Mare and Foal' at Newmarket.
Use this link to book for the lecture
Black Divas from the 18th century to today
Mon 27 October: Hughes Hall
This lecture-recital will examine the legacy of Vittoria Tesi, one of the most celebrated opera divas of the 18th century. Singer Lufuno Ndou will perform an aria written especially for Tesi and Carol Leeming will read her poem ‘Praise Song for Black Divas’. There will be a discussion on the influence Tesi has had on modern day singers such as Beyoncé.
Book for 'Black Divas from the 18th century to today'.
Reframing Blackness
Mon 27 October: Murray Edwards College
The Women’s Art Collection at Murray Edwards will host an evening with Alayo Akinkugbe. Alayo runs the Instagram platform @ABlackHistoryofArt, which highlights Black artists, curators and thinkers from art history and the present day, and also hosts the podcast A Shared Gaze. The discussion will be followed by a book signing.
Remembering the Bristol Bus Boycott
Tues 28 October: Homerton College
This event explores the legacy of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott - a pivotal moment in British civil rights history that helped pave the way for the UK's first Race Relations Act.
The speakers taking part are; Lilleith Morrison (co-author of a biography on Bristol Bus Boycott activist, the late Dr Paul Stephenson), Lord Marvin Rees (Metro mayor of Bristol at the time of the Black Lives Matter protests), Lord Simon Woolley (Principal, Homerton College), Dr Walter Milton Jnr (Founder and CEO of Black History 365) and Zain Kakooza (Homerton HUS BAME Officer).
Book 'Remembering the Bristol Bus Boycott'
Rap Culture
Tues 28 October: Wolfson College
Join Dr Richard Bramwell and Dr Alex de Lacey for the launch of the 'Cambridge Companion to Global Rap', a book that examines the influence of rap music around the world. The interactive event will see contributors to the book share their stories about the impact of rap on their lives.
Book for the Global Rap book launch
Black Leadership
Thurs 30 October: Wolfson College
Join the REACH Hub for a discussion 'Lessons from Leadership' featuring Michael Fuller, the UK's first Black Chief Constable (Kent Police).
Gloria Carpenter Lecture
Mon 10th November: Selwyn College
The University’s annual Gloria Carpenter Lecture will be delivered by Professor Monica Moreno Figeuroa of the Department of Sociology. The lecture will explore how we can create spaces for listening, connecting, and relating, in the face of racism and inequality
Book here for online attendance
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