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Black History Month 2026: Honouring our Communities

Welcome to Black History Month 2026 at ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿.

Throughout October BSU, in collaboration with the Students' Union, will be putting on a programme of events and activities inspired by this year's theme, Honouring Our Communities. We hope to create an opportunity for you all to come together and celebrate, learn and reflect.

Our communities help shape who we are. They provide support, connection, inspiration and a sense of belonging. This theme invites us to recognise the people, experiences and cultural influences that shape our identities and help create inclusive communities where everyone can thrive.

Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate Black voices, histories, achievements and lived experiences, while reflecting on how we can continue to foster understanding, inclusion and allyship across our university community.

We warmly welcome all staff and students to take part in the month and hope you'll join us in learning and connecting together.

Please keep an eye on this page as we update it with details of our upcoming events. We look forward to welcoming you.

A message from our Vice-Chancellor

"I am delighted that this year we are celebrating Black History Month by exploring the theme of 'Honouring our Communities'. Sharing stories about black individuals who volunteer, teach, care and quite simply show up for our communities is so important. These are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. We can find inspiration in their actions, learn from their experience, and thank them for their quiet service and dedication.

I warmly encourage you to join us, and I look forward to seeing you at what promises to be an exciting programme of events."

Professor Georgina Andrews, Vice-Chancellor of ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿.

Windrush and Britain Today: Migration, Memory, Identity and Belonging

Thursday 1 October, 6pm-7:30pm.

Newton Park Campus, Commons -CM.119

Student, staff, colleagues, invited speakers and members of the wider community are brought together for a thoughtful discussion about the Windrush generation, Britain’s colonial history and post-war migration, and how these histories continue to shape identity, citizenship, research, equality and belonging in Britain today.

Staff headshots

Tuesday 6 October 10am-4pm
Commons Atrium, Newton Park

To honour and celebrate our Bath Spa community, photographer and Bath Spa alumnus, Darius Jéan will be capturing staff headshots in Commons Atrium 10am – 4pm on Tuesday 6th October.
Darius has extensive experience working with and professionally capturing diverse skin tones. You can view his work on . 
We welcome all staff to please sign up for the opportunity to have your professional headshot taken with Darius. The event is free, but spaces are limited.

Bring Your Own Bowl

Thursday 8 October, Thursday 15 October, Thursday 22 October
6pm onwards
Students Union (Newton Park)

This event is open to students only

Head to The Barn for Bring a Bowl, an evening of free food and good company!

Bring your own bowl, find a seat and enjoy some delicious food while catching up with new friends or getting to know some new faces! Drop in, help yourself and enjoy! Don't forget your bowl! Featuring some tasty Afro-Caribbean food!

This is a ticketless event! No ticket required, just turn up!

90 Years of Ethiopia in Bath – The Lantern Lectures

People of Colour in Bath, from the Georgian Period to the Ethiopian Royal Family

Friday 9 October, 6pm to 9.30pm
Fairfield House, Bath, BA1 3QJ

As part of 90 Years of Ethiopia in Bath, Fairfield House hosts the next in its Lantern Lectures series, an evening of presentations and discussion exploring exile, faith, history, war, heritage and hope.

Join Fairfield House for an exciting talk by Dr Tim Manningmore from the National Trust Bath Assembly Rooms.
Followed by a celebration in the spirit of Fairfield House and the Bath Assembly Rooms, with food, poetry and music, in honour of the Ethiopian Royal Family moving into Fairfield House on this day 90 years ago.

All are welcome. Donations to Fairfield House are encouraged.

Online Panel Discussion: It Takes a Village: Community Voices Shaping Future Leaders

Thursday 15 October, 4:30pm-6pm
Online.

This event is open to both Students and Staff.

This discussion will explore how communities help individuals develop, succeed, and thrive. Through a range of perspectives, we will highlight the impact of collective support, inclusive networks, and community-led initiatives in shaping future leaders and fostering belonging.

Speakers:

Serlina Boyd

Serlina Boyd founded Cocoa, the UK’s first Black children’s magazines (Cocoa Girl and Cocoa Boy) after being inspired by her six-year-old daughter’s confidence against bullying at school because of her skin colour. In just four weeks, the magazine achieved a readership of over 10,000 children. Serlina uses the Cocoa platform to create content for 7–14-year-old Black children to celebrate Black culture, make Black role models more visible, and inspire, empower and help Black children around the world accept their appearance despite socially constructed beauty standards. She is also a qualified childcare provider with 18 years of experience in the publishing industry.

Natalie Da Silva

Natalie Da Silva is a London-based, freelance entertainment journalist, blogger and presenter, and a Student Success Officer (Student Life) at ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ London. She has collaborated with BBC Three and Sky News as part of a documentary, creating video reports on current affairs and conducting interviews across the UK and New York with locals and public figures in other media broadcasting companies. She has also worked with Warner Bros. production company. Using her Multimedia Journalism degree, experience in the media industry and seven years of experience in the education sector, Natalie combines creativity, journalism and strategy to help put the spotlight on ideas and communities.

Christine Kinnear

Christine Kinnear is the founder and CEO of With Insight Education and is recognised as one of NatWest’s WISE100 top female social entrepreneurs in the UK. Since 2018, Christine has led With Insight Education to provide mentoring to over 1500 Black-heritage students, allowing them to thrive at university and the workplace. Christine is also a Teach First Ambassador and is a part of many other diversity and education boards including Causeway Education and the AccessHE Race Equity forum. In 2020, Christine was awarded the Warrior Women ChangeMaker Award. She also has experience working with HR and People & Culture teams, building mentoring programmes that develop people and strengthen culture.

With Insight Coaching Programme

Every Wednesday in October, from the 7th, 2:30-4:30pm (except reading week)
A mix of in-person and online

This is open to students only

A series of developmental coaching sessions for ethnically diverse students delivered in partnership with With Insight. Join us for a six-session leadership development programme designed to help you build confidence, discover your strengths, and develop the skills needed to thrive at university and beyond. Through a blend of interactive workshops, coaching, reflection, networking opportunities, and inspiring guest speakers, you'll explore what leadership means to you and how to lead with purpose and authenticity.