October marks the celebration of Black History Month which aims to recognise and celebrate the contributions of black people to British society. 

Each year, BlackHistoryMonth.org.uk selects a theme to focus a key aspect of Black History. For 2023, the theme is 'Saluting Our Sisters' which highlights the crucial role that black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities. This could have been through contributions to literature, music, fashion, sport, business, politics, academia, social & health care, and much more! 

Check out the list below of events:

Bead Making

To celebrate Black History Month 2023, join us for a relaxed bead making session to create your own jewellery from earrings to bracelets to keyrings. 

Significance of Bead Making for BHM: There is a rich history of bead making in African culture because they were used to communicate messages such as connections to ancestral spirits, social status, or marital status. They were also used in rituals and ceremonies to mark life events like birth, marriage, and death, or as a currency across the continent. It is important to note that there is a huge geographical and cultural diversity in beadwork across Africa with each region having its' own distinct beadwork traditions (such as materials, colours, and designs.)

• Thursday 12 October

• 2:00pm - 4:00pm

• The Green Room (1st Floor SUHQ Building)

• Free (all students welcome)

• Capacity is 130 

Black History Month Stall

To celebrate Black History Month 2023, join us in The Atrium for an educational stall, freebie, and to meet Nia, your Ethnic Minorities Officer for 2023/24! 

There will be A4 and A1 educational posters with 'Sheroes' that the OfficialBlackHistoryMonth.org.uk have created to celebrate famous black women and share how they have contributed to their industry. There will also be a surprise activity so come along to find out more and win a freebie

• Thursday 26th October

• 12pm-3pm

• The Atrium

• Free (all students welcome)

Warwick Student Cinema: Selma

Film description: A chronicle of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr's campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965

• Tuesday 7th November

• 7:30pm-9:30pm

• L3

• Tickets: (£3) for members (£4) for general

Warwick Student Cinema: Get Out

Film description: A young African-American visits his White girlfriend's parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him eventually reaches a boiling point. 

• Tuesday 14 November

• 7:30pm-9:30pm

• L3

• Tickets: (£3) for members (£4) for general

Warwick Student Cinema: Hidden Figures

Film description: The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.

• Tuesday 21 November

• 7:30pm-9:30pm

• L3

• Tickets: (£3) for members (£4) for general

Warwick Student Cinema: Judas and the Black Messiah

Film description: Offered a plea deal by the FBI, William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton.

• Tuesday 28 November 2023

• 7:30pm-9:30pm

• L3

• Tickets: (£3) for members (£4) for general

BHM Sheroes Posters 

There are A1 and A4 posters dotted around the SU Buildings with the Sheroes for BHM. This pays tribute to black women who have made extraordinary contributions across various fields. From literature and music to fashion, sports, business, politics, academia, social care, and healthcare, these posters showcase the remarkable achievements of black women and highlight their diverse and profound impact on society.Tag us in your photos of the posters @warwicksu on social media! 

More SU/Society events to be added - check back soon!

Official BlackHistoryMonth.org.uk Events

There is a range of external events hosted online and in-person that are listed on the BHM website. (To note: these are not associated/organised by Warwick SU). Follow the link to explore

The National Black History Month Poetry Competition (External Competition, not SU ran)

The Black History Month Magazine and the Black Writers Guild are running a poetry competition which welcomes participants of all backgrounds and poetic experience levels. There are four aged-based categories: Primary (ages 5-10) Secondary (ages 11-16) College/University (ages 16-24) and General Public (aged 25 and above)

For this competition, they invite you to craft poems that weave stories about black women. Whether you choose to write about globally recognised figures, beloved family members, community heroes, or draw from your personal experiences, every story is cherished and valued. 

• Submission Deadline: 15th November 2023

• Judging Period: 16th November 2023 - 2nd February 2024

• Winner Announcement: World Poetry Day, 21st March 2024

To enter: click this link