Black History Month at Goldsmiths

October is Black History Month. Find out about events to attend in our local area and online.

This page brings together events organised or hosted by Goldsmiths, as well as those featuring our community of students, staff and alumni. 

Events open to all

Our Ancestors Served

Join BA History student and BlackPoppyRose Founder, Selena Carty, for a talk on the contributions made by Black Men and Women worldwide, who fought and sacrificed for Britain, France, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia, Fiji, Russia and more during World War I and II.
25 October 2023
6:30 - 8pm
Goldsmiths, University of London

Events for students and staff only

Additional activities and resources

21-Day Challenge

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team invite all staff and students to take part in a 21-Day Challenge for Black History Month. Over the course of 21 days, explore a range of resources linked to Black history and culture, from books to articles, podcasts and talks. 

The aim of the challenge is to promote understanding of racial inequalities throughout society, as well as their historical background.

The challenge is running from Monday 2 – Saturday 21 October 2023.

Books

  • ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race’ by Reni Eddo-Lodge
  • ‘Girl, Woman, Other’ by Bernardine Evaristo
  • ‘Black and British: A forgotten history’ by David Olusoga
  • ‘100 Great Black Britons’ by Patrick Vernon OBE and Angelina Osborne
  • ‘Don't Touch My Hair’ by Emma Dabiri

Videos/Interviews

Podcasts/Talks

Documentaries/Films

  • 2023 The Misinformation of Black History Full Documentary - YouTube
  • ‘Loving’ directed by Jeff Nichols
  • ‘Self Made, inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker’ directed by DeMane Davis and Kasi Lemmons (available on Netflix)
  • ‘Race’ directed by Stephen Hopkins
  • ‘When They See Us’ directed by Ava DuVernay (available on Netflix)

Learn about Britain’s black history prior the Windrush Generation through photographic archives that captures the rich and diverse cultral lives of Black Britons in the Victorian times and before. 

Watch the video on Youtube.

Kente is regarded as a fabric for the royals and is popular worldwide. Discover the origin of the Kente fabric from Chief Kente Designer, Akwesi Kwarteng as he narrate the true story passed down from his ancestors. Akwesi Kwarteng is a direct descendant of the man who designed (added patterns) the Kente cloth.

Watch the video on Youtube.