This year's theme — Honouring Our Communities
This year's theme for Black History Month is Honouring Our Communities, which asks us to consider the many communities that shape, support and sustain us throughout our lives.
These are the people who help hold our communities together, often without recognition. Whether they are teachers, nurses, volunteers or community leaders, their contributions may not always be visible, but are felt in the support they provide and the sense of belonging they create.
Community has always been central to Black people’s resilience, progress and identity in Britain. This year’s theme is about recognising those contributions and celebrating the people behind them.
At NTU we are committed to being an anti-racist institution and creating a community where everyone feels valued and supported. Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black people, and to inspire learning and action across our university.
Black History Month — Curated library collection
To mark Black History Month, NTU Library has curated a collection of resources that celebrate the histories, cultures, achievements and contributions of Black communities.
Through books, journals, films, and online content, the collection supports learning, inspires conversation, and encourages engagement with diverse perspectives and experiences.
Featured titles include:
- Black Britain: a photographic history by Paul Gilroy
- Small Island by Andrea Levy
- How to be black by Baratunde Thurston
- Britain's black past by Gretchen Gerzina
Explore the collection (NTU login required).
Inspiring academics and students
NLS undergraduate awarded Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship
Rakeem Kamara has become the sixth Nottingham Law School undergraduate to be awarded a prestigious Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship.
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.
Year-Round Recognition
Celebration and awareness days, weeks and months provide valuable opportunities to learn and reflect. However, our commitment to EDI extends beyond these dedicated dates.
Explore the events, opportunities and resources available throughout the year, which continue to raise awareness and support the themes recognised through our awareness calendar.
African Cultural Taster Event (City)
Monday 14 September, 1pm to 4pm
- Audience: Staff and Students
- Location: Global Lounge, City Campus
African Cultural Taster Event (Clifton)
Tuesday 15 September, 1pm to 4pm
- Audience: Staff and Students
- Location: Global Lounge, Clifton Campus
Come and join us at this African Cultural Taster Event to chat with students from African diasporas; enjoy traditional snacks and music; and learn more about different African countries and cultures.
No booking is required. You can drop in and out whenever suits you.
Craft Workshop with Mellonie Page
Thursday 26 November, 12pm to 2pm
- Audience: Students
- Location: Global Lounge, City Campus
Join New Art Exchange artist Mellonie Page in this free African-inspired jewellery making workshop. All materials will be provided, and there's no need to book. Just drop by and join in.
Preserving our legacy: Black history beyond October
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.
Code Switch is an award-winning podcast that has candid conversations about race, ethnicity and identity across politics, pop culture, history and everything in between.
As the name suggests, Black History Year champions the accomplishments and spotlights the struggles of Black history, all year round. It’s not one to miss and teaches listeners about the touchstones of Black history that have often been left out of the textbooks, with insights from experts, historians and activists shared in an accessible and engaging way.
The Black History Month UK resources provide educational materials, articles, profiles and activities that can support learning throughout the year.
These resources offer a useful starting point for exploring Black history, culture and achievement beyond October and helping to ensure conversations about Black history continue throughout the year.
Hidden Voices was launched in 2023 to spotlight the unsung voices and perspectives often overlooked or underrepresented across different subject areas. This collection brings together books and articles by authors from historically marginalised backgrounds, recommended by NTU staff and students in support of the campaign.
Staff networks and student societies
Staff networks
If you're a member of NTU staff, you can join one of our staff networks. They provide opportunities to connect with colleagues and help shape a more inclusive university community.
Examples include:
- REACH (Race, Equality and Cultural Heritage) Network (link requires NTU staff login)
- Other networks supporting a range of protected characteristics and communities (link requires NTU staff login)
Student societies
If you're an NTU student, you may be interested in joining one of the Students' Union societies that celebrate identity and community, including:
These societies offer opportunities to meet new people, celebrate diverse cultures, and take part in events and activities throughout the year.
You can find out more about student societies through the Nottingham Trent Students' Union website.
Race equality initiatives at NTU
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.
Race Equality Charter
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 an Athena Swan Silver Award (gender equality). We are continually advancing our work under the Race Equality Agenda. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion (LGBT) and a Disability Confident Employer.
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.
Get involved
Tag us with the following hashtags to share your involvement in Black History Month!
#BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2026
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 educate themselves, we recommend these articles, which may help you as part of your journey.
If you would like to advertise an event, please contact EDI@ntu.ac.uk.