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Staff and students have marked Black History Month with a series of events to celebrate the impact and presence of the Black community at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.

A special video called ‘Black Voices of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’ (see above), produced by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College Union’s African Caribbean Society (ACS), has featured students talking frankly about their experience of being a Black person at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.

The students discussed what makes them feel part of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, what the challenges they have faced and reflected on who their role models are.

One of the students interviewed for the video, Jessica Powell (MEng Design Engineering), said: “The Black Community at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is very friendly, bubbly and full of life.”

President of the ACS, Sean Bazanye-Lutu, explained that he had faced some challenges while trying to fit into life at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø: “I have faced some challenges being Black at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, I think the main thing is to do with fitting in. I think it is very easy for other people to come and find people they click with, they look like, and who they can really identify with.”

I would say 51³Ô¹ÏÍø has very different sides to it, there are some very different communities but everyone can still say that they are a part of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Sean Bazanye-Lutu President of ACS

The students also shared what they are doing to help change the culture at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, and Kitan Oyeleke, Vice President of the ACS, talked about the work she is doing to launch a mentorship programme for low-income Black students who are interested in STEM.

The calendar of events for Black History Month kicked off with a portrait exhibition, of Black People at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, which was organised by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College Union and the ACS. Several trips were also organised, including an art tour exploring the Black heritage collections of the V&A.

Black History Month celebrations at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø saw guest speakers such as Angela Saini, author of Superior: The Return of Race Science, and MP for Tottenham, David Lammy, visit Campus to discuss topics such as racism in science and the Black Attainment Gap.

A collaborative project between the Union and ACS saw the creation of Black People of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, an of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø community. Similarly, the College’s campaign celebrated the work of Black students and staff throughout October.

Images for the project were taken by photographer John Almando. Here is a selection:

The College recently announced a five-year widening participation plan which included an aim of launching an outreach programme specifically for Black students. This strategy was brought about as a response to data released by the Office for Students which showed a gap in the number of Black students gaining places at the College.