Reclaiming narratives: Oxford Brookes celebrates Black History Month with inspiring talks and events

Oxford Brookes University will proudly celebrate Black History Month this October, with lectures and talks led by inspiring voices from the Black community.

This year’s national theme, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, highlights a powerful commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and shining a light on the untold achievements and rich complexity of Black heritage.

All events at the University are open to staff, students, and the public, offering a unique opportunity to engage with these compelling stories and join in a celebration of Black history, culture, and resilience. 

Oxford Brookes’ keynote lecture for Black History Month 2024 will be given by Trevor Sterling, the first Black Senior Partner of a UK top 100 law firm. 

Trevor will share insights about his personal journey and the importance of self belief, irrespective of social challenges, in the John Henry Brookes (JHB) Lecture Theatre on the Headington campus, from 6.00pm to 7.00pm on Wednesday 16 October. Trevor is the co-founder and Chair of legal company Major Trauma Group, and Chair of social equality charity Mary Seacole Trust. 

Later in the month, acclaimed musician Guy Davis will be hosting an insightful talk titled ‘Blues, Songwriting, and Civil Rights’ in the JHB Lecture Theatre, Headington Campus, on Tuesday 22 October, at 5.00pm.
Davis, a two-time Grammy nominee for Best Traditional Blues, blends a variety of genres, including roots, blues, folk, rock, rap, spoken word, and world music, to explore themes of social justice. His work reflects on historical events, personal hardships, and the ongoing fight against inequality.

Joining him will be Michael Roach, a respected blues musician and chair of the European Blues Association. Michael Roach has long been involved in preserving and teaching blues traditions, and during the event, attendees will have the chance to sign up for his renowned ‘Blues in Schools’ programme. Titled ‘From Work Songs to the Blues, Hip Hop, and Beyond,’ the programme has been running for over 35 years and continues to inspire new generations of musicians and music lovers alike.

Adrienne Hopkins, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Oxford Brookes University said: “We are proud to celebrate Black History Month at Oxford Brookes, a time to honour the remarkable contributions of the Black community and reflect on the rich diversity of experiences that have shaped our world. We look forward to engaging our entire community in these vital conversations.”

The full programme of events and details on how to book are available on the Oxford Brookes Black History Month webpage. More information can also be found on the national Black History Month website.