Black History Month is an annual celebration that provides us with the opportunity to recognise, honour and reflect on the rich contributions of black people throughout history. It’s a time to acknowledge the resilience, and triumphs of the community, taking steps towards equity.
As one of your deputy presidents, I can clearly see that this year there is a clear focus on how the university and Students’ Union can work together, to move towards equity. The biggest change we’ve made is to join the university in flipping the script on Black History Month and focusing on the creation of a fruitful future, we’re calling it Black Futures Month instead. We’re not forgetting the painful narratives of the past, nor are we forgetting the academic struggles of our students but we are shifting our focus towards the possibilities of a newer generation of black expression.
At the Students’ Union, we are putting together some great events which celebrates black culture and we’re collaborating with the university to reach even more students as well as staff. Throughout the month we will be celebrating the black contribution to today’s culture and also discussing changes we could make as an institution to uplift the community both at city and externally.
Things will kick off this week with Black Futures Month taking over the Students’ Union weekly film night to showcase black creatives on the big screen. Throughout rest of the month, we’ll be exploring black art and creativity with Tote bag painting, cake and cookie decorating, a paint-a-long and a Sip and Paint, all focussing on black styles of art. We will also be present on campus, giving out freebies in two Black Futures Month stalls, where you can also find out what we’re putting on!
We will also be collaborating with the university to bring you the Black History Month Closing Celebration, open to students and staff. There you will find our stall with even more goodies to give away. From the beginning to end of the month you can also find interesting posts on our socials!
We can’t wait to meet and celebrate black culture with you!
-Fortune Sampson, SU deputy president