Oxford Brookes celebrates Black History Month 2022 with events for staff, students and the local com
Oxford Brookes University is proud to be supporting Black History Month 2022, with a series of events and activities themed around ‘Wellness and Mental Health’.
The programme highlights different aspects of mental and physical wellbeing, and will allow students, staff, and the local community to come together, learn and socialise. All activities will be held at the University’s campuses and can be booked via the Oxford Brookes website. .
The keynote lecture of the series will be given by Professor Jason Arday, of the University of Glasgow, who will talk about Mental Health, Race and Racism, focusing on the context of higher education. The lecture will take place in the John Henry Brookes Lecture Theatre at the University’s Headington Campus at 5.00pm on Wednesday 19 October. Members of the public, as well as students and staff are welcome to sign up to attend.
The lecture will be followed by a panel discussion from 6.45pm until 8.00pm, on the topic of Overcoming Barriers to Black Wellness, chaired by Nina Epellé, who leads the Oxford Brookes BAME Staff Network. Panellists will include: Dr Reena Vohora from the Staff Diversity Network of Oxford NHS Trust, Professor Laura Serrant OBE of Manchester Metropolitan University, Dr Stuart Whigham, of Oxford Brookes University, and Diana Wanjagi and Frankii Charles , Co-Founders of the Student Global Majority Collective in Social Work at Oxford Brookes.
Emrys Hughes, Race Equity Adviser & Race Equality Charter Consultant at Oxford Brookes, said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to offer a series of events that are taking place to celebrate Black History Month at Oxford Brookes University, for which staff, students and members of the public are welcome to register for and attend.
“Black History Month gives us a chance to learn, promote and celebrate Black contributions and achievements in society, while also reflecting on Black heritage and culture.”
An interactive session on the theme of ‘Belonging’ will take place at 7.00pm on Monday 17 October. The workshop will be led by Euton Daley MBE and Amantha Edmead who will explore the question: ‘What does it take to enable us to feel safe, to feel at home, or to feel like we ‘belong’ in whatever environment we find ourselves in?’ Euton is founder of Unlock the Chains Collective and an artist, director, mentor and producer based in Oxford with over 40 years’ experience in the arts. Amantha founded Kuumbia Nia Arts, a Black led and Oxford-based touring theatre company.
With this year’s theme of Wellness and Mental Health, a range of physical activities for staff and students will be taking place such as yoga classes, climbing wall and astroturf football sessions, with the aim of bringing staff and students together to meet new people and make connections. Further details including how to sign up can be found on the Oxford Brookes Black History Month page.