This year's theme – Standing Firm in Power and Pride
The theme for Black History Month this year is Standing Firm in Power and Pride, a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe.
The theme highlights the profound contributions made by Black leaders, activists, and pioneers who have shaped history, while also looking towards a future of continued empowerment, unity, and growth.
Our NTU community is proud to support Black History Month by hosting activities and initiatives that are open to our students and colleagues. We are also pleased to share our educational resources with our community as part of our commitment to becoming an anti-racist institution.
We recognise that the Black history experience is not limited to one month each year and have committed to work year-round to host a diverse programme of events and resources to help create a more equal future for everyone.
Get involved
Tag us with the following hashtags to share your involvement in Black History Month!
#BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2025
As a university, we are proud to be progressive and inclusive as we all have a part to play in tackling racism. For anyone who would like to self-educate themselves, we recommend these articles that may help you as part of your journey.
If you would like to advertise an event, please contact EDI@ntu.ac.uk.
Events and initiatives
Each year, we host a range of events and initiatives in celebration of Black History Month.
We'll update this page when these events have been finalised.
Standing Firm in Power and Pride: A Rotating Poster Display for Black History Month
Wednesday 1–Tuesday 14 October
- Location: Chaucer 3121, City Campus
- Audience: Students and staff
Throughout the month, students, staff, and visitors can explore a powerful exhibition of six striking posters, each highlighting a unique strand of Black heritage and achievement, from courage in wartime service to creativity, protest, leadership, and the global struggle for justice. Each poster includes a QR code that brings history to life through immersive audio storytelling.
Alongside the posters, NTU spaces will feature a gallery of more than 40 illustrated portraits, each paired with personal audio stories. Together, these displays will turn NTU spaces into hubs of recognition and pride.
The resource pack also offers a rich multimedia storytelling experience, including:
- An exclusive introduction video from Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE
- 40 audio stories for reflection and learning
- Animated videos featuring iconic figures such as Mary Seacole and Walter Tull
- Biographies and learning resources to inspire deeper conversations
Step Forward: Walking Challenge for Black History Month
Wednesday 1–Friday 31 October
- Audience: Students and staff
This October, the EDI team is proud to celebrate Black History Month in partnership with NTU Moves. Together, we’re launching a Walking Challenge to encourage everyone to get active while showing their support for Black History Month.
Whether you’re walking solo, with colleagues, or with friends, every step you take is a step toward greater inclusion and visibility.
Check out NTU Moves during October to join the challenge and get moving for a cause.
BHM-themed Crafternoon
Wednesday 1 October, 2 pm–4 pm
- Audience: Students and staff
- Location: NTU Global Lounge, City Campus and Clifton Campus
Relax, get creative and connect with new friends at the Global Lounges every Wednesday for mindful craft sessions.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at NTU
NTU is dedicated to working to strategically advance equality, diversity and inclusion, and to support a culture of engagement underpinned by respect.
The University currently holds and is continually advancing our work in the Race Equality Agenda, Athena Swan Silver Award (gender equality), Stonewall Diversity Champion (LGBT) and as a Disability Confident Employer.
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team recognises that learning is vital to ensuring that our students and colleagues understand and are equipped with skills and competence to support inclusion and fairness. A dedicated space for self-education resources has been developed for our NTU community to benefit from. This online platform features educational videos, information articles, recommended reading lists and more, encouraging students and colleagues to continue to make informed decisions and continue to make an active contribution to making NTU an inclusive environment for all.
NTU colleagues have access to an Anti-Racism and White Privilege learning module as part of their essential learning, and an 'Understanding Racism' learning module is available to all NTU students. Both offer the opportunity to explore and build an understanding of what racism is and how it can be positively combated.
If you have a general question for the EDI team at NTU, please email us.
Nottingham Trent Students’ Union (NTSU) and NTU Societies
Alongside Nottingham Trent Students’ Union (NTSU), we are firmly committed to sustaining a highly effective learning and working environment characterised by fairness, equality of opportunity and diversity.
We also have several societies who are dedicated to empowering EDI initiatives:
- Our African Caribbean Society aims to educate and unite diverse students from NTU and the University of Nottingham.
- The Eastern African Society celebrates culture and empowers the community through fun and memorable activities throughout the year.
Black Leadership Programme
NTU's Black Leadership Programme is a collaboration between Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and Nottingham Trent Students’ Union (NTSU). The programme is designed to empower students to gain confidence and become resilient leaders through a series of hands-on events and community-building activities.
Successful applicants get access to valuable events and opportunities, building the skills to become effective leaders.
Re:search Re:imagined podcast: BHM special
In 2023 we invited Panya Banjoko and Professor Sharon Monteith from NTU’s School of Social Sciences onto the Re:search Re:imagined podcast to reflect on the significance of Black History Month and their research into black legacy and heritage.
Their remarkable efforts include revealing untold narratives of Black Activism, both in the United States and closer to home in Nottingham. By bringing to light heroic stories of lecturers, poets, and orators, Panya and Sharon are working to preserve their histories and inspire the next generation.
Listen to the episode:
Inspiring academics and students
Professor Veronica Pickering
To celebrate Black History Month, we’re pleased to profile Professor Veronica Pickering. Read more to learn about her remarkable career and achievements and how she felt about making history as the first black female to be appointed to the position of High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Chinyere Williams
Chinyere Williams, Lecturer in Forensic Toxicology, is a member of NTU’s University Shadow Executive Team (USET).
To mark Black History Month (BHM) in 2023, we spent 5 minutes with Chinyere to find out more about her thoughts on the BHM theme and who has inspired her the most in her life.
Deladem Ohenewaa Mensah
Deladem Ohenewaa Mensah is a PhD student at NTU’s Nottingham Law School focusing on restorative justice. To mark Black History Month in 2023, Deladem shared more about what inspired her studies and how she’s overcome the challenges she’s faced along the way.