Black History Month

Friday 1 October, 6.00pm - 7.00pm
An online dance workshop run by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

The mambo, cha cha cha, rumba and salsa are all Latin American dances that you've no doubt heard of. Perhaps you've even enjoyed watching your favourite celebrities perform these fascinating routines during popular TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing or Dancing With The Stars? Well, did you know these dances are rooted in African traditions and heritage? Here's a wonderful opportunity to try out some of these classic dance moves yourself.

This practical online workshop will introduce you to various forms of Afro-Cuban dance traditions. While practising different movements representing the Orisahas (deities from the African traditions brought to Cuba), your instructor will discuss the dance form’s history and its importance to each movement. Through a series of guided movements, each participant will be encouraged to embrace the Afro-cuban music, savour the cultural context and release the dancer within.

Registration available soon »

Tuesday 5 October, 7.00pm - 8.00pm
The fascinating and vibrant series of movements known as Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. Originally practiced by Africans enslaved in Brazil, it has since become celebrated and practiced around the world.

Abolição Oxford Capoeira is pleased to present a Capoeira workshop which will include an introduction to the history and context of Capoeira as well as the opportunity to safely learn and practice Capoeira techniques and principal movements. No experience is needed and this class is suitable for complete beginners.

Abolição Oxford Capoeira provides classes, workshops and performances and contributes to the wider promotion of the Brazilian martial and cultural art form in Oxford. You can find out more about them at www.capoeira-uk.com.

Further sessions will be held on:

• Tuesdays 12, 19 and 26 October 6:00pm - 7:00pm
• Thursday 14 October 6:00pm - 7:00pm
• Saturday 30 October 9:00am - 10:00am

Location: The Studio, Brookes Sport Headington

Registration available soon »

Thursday 7 October, 12.00pm - 1.00pm
The pretence is wearing thin
In this green and pleasant land
No room to move
No room to breathe
In this green and pleasant land

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 Daley (Unlock the Chains Collective) and Amantha Edmead (Kuumba Nia Arts) will lead an interactive session on the theme of 'belonging', supported by Rachel Barbaresi from Oxford Brookes' School of Arts. This workshop will explore some of the realities of living in an unfair, unjust and unequal world and will examine whether your sense of belonging is dependent on how you feel about yourself or how others feel about you. Drawing on poetry and performance with insights from therapeutic models and coping strategies for psychological safety, this session will be thought-provoking, deep-thinking, and enriching.

This is our perspective, i.e. through the lens of an African heritage experience of racism. However, the session is open to all who have experienced or observed discrimination of any kind.

Register via Zoom »

Tuesday 12 October, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
A screening of excerpts from the documentary film on the history of the Notting Hill Carnival exploring the surrounding discourse and media commentary. Tony Oldham, award winning filmmaker of two films on the Notting Hill Carnival (Arts of Conflict and A People's Art) will join Dr Nicole Ferdinand from Oxford Brookes Business School (who is featured in both films) for a discussion of key aspects of the significance and meaning of Europe's biggest street festival: Notting Hill Carnival.

Join event on Zoom (no booking required) »

Thursday 14 October, 12.00pm - 1.00pm
Amani Simpson is an award-winning storyteller, social entrepreneur and youth coach. His social enterprise Aviard Inspires CIC, exists to empower young people through personal development, digital media and enrichment opportunities.

Amani will share his story with a focus on overcoming, finding your true, authentic self and standing tall. He will also talk about his recently released film that is based on his experience being stabbed seven times when he intervened in a friend’s dispute over stolen goods that quickly escalated out of control and saw him confronted by a 20-strong gang.

Amani uses his inspiring story, lived experience and expertise in youth engagement to transform lives and reach broad audiences of often underserved youth within his community and across the UK.

Registration available soon »

Tuesday 19 October, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Join us for a special musical celebration with Rebeca Omordia and Leon Bosch.

Nigerian-Romanian virtuoso pianist Rebeca Omordia is changing the face of classical music. In 2019 Rebeca founded the first African Concert Series in London. The series featured a collaboration with the South African internationally-acclaimed double bass virtuoso, Leon Bosch, creator of "The South African Double Bass" project.

In this session, Rebeca and Leon will discuss their distinct journeys, the influences on their work and its socio-cultural impacts, illustrated with musical examples.

Professor Marius Turda and Dr Graham van Wyk will host and engage in the conversation with opportunities for Q&A.

Register via Zoom »

Wednesday 20 October, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
What does it truly mean to be Black or Brown in Britain in 2021? What can we learn from the legacies of the generations that came before us, and what can we do to ensure we have every reason to be a proud Black or Brown person living in Britain.

David Olusoga is the award-winning author, and presenter whose contributions to Britain's black history are defining. Currently the Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester, Olusoga has committed to bringing essential topics, such as Windrush, slavery and the empire, to the forefront of conversations.

Registration available soon »

Thursday 21 October
How do we decolonise architectural education in the UK? Race in Architectural Education is a one-day symposium with a workshop and keynote speaker at Oxford Brookes University, School of Architecture. Conceived by a new steering group for the collaboration between Place, Culture and Identity research group and Black in Architecture research unit, the symposium will highlight work at the school, invite external work, and initiate dialogue among academics, students, professionals and those working in architecture and related disciplines.

This event is organised by the Place, Culture and Identity research group in collaboration with Black in Architecture research, as part of a series of research impact activities programmed for the academic year 2021/2022. Black in Architecture is a new research community, hosted by the Place, Culture and Identity research group at Oxford Brookes University. The research initiative is exploring racial equity and aims to create an industry Charter and approach to help address race and systemic racism in UK architecture. The inaugural symposium and workshop will bring together practitioners, academics and students of architecture to share current work and catalyse action for change.

PhD candidate and Architect, Juliet Sakyi-Ansah, founder of Black in Architecture, said: “I want Black in Architecture to directly influence change at decision-making levels by amplifying the voices of those who experience systemic racism. I am passionate about architecture, but as an industry it needs to be more receptive to diversity. Now is the time to include all the voices and experiences of all ethnic minority groups in architecture.” Juliet Sakyi-Ansah - https://blackinarchitecture.uk/

Register via the symposium website »

25 October, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
A conversation with Lettija Lee, Sherilyn Carter and Elizabeth Solaru, hosted Dr Yue Ang, Oxford Brookes.

Lettija is a TV presenter and expert in entertainment law, Sherilyn is a social media content coach, and Elizabeth is the founder of Elizabeth's Cake Emporium, one of the best luxury cake companies in the world.

Registration available soon »

3 November, 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Dr Lawrence Davies examines blues musicians’ experiences of travel, and reflects on how blues has responded to global questions of class, race, solidarity, and exploitation.

Lawrence Davies is a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Research Fellow at the International Centre for Music Studies, Newcastle University.

Register via Zoom »

17 November, 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Shaista Aziz is a journalist, writer and women’s rights and anti-racism campaigner. Shaista specialises in working alongside marginalised communities across the country to build community campaigns tackling inequalities, racism and bigotry. Join us for this exciting event, which is co-hosted with Oxford Human Rights Festival and the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP), and marks Inter Faith Week 2021.

Registration via Zoom »