Black History Month is a celebration of black history, culture and pride dedicated to honouring the contributions and achievements of Black people throughout history, as well as embracing the strength and unity found in our vibrant community.
In the UK, the month of October is put aside to recognise and celebrate the contributions and the achievements of the black community and learn about black historical and contemporary figures who contribute to Britain. Black History Month further aims to highlight the pride and struggles of people of black origin and other persons of colour from African and Caribbean backgrounds.
In 2025, to celebrate Black History Month, we are focusing on the theme 'Resilience and Progress: Overcoming Adversity and Driving Change', honouring the enduring strength, creativity, and transformative impact of Black communities in the UK and globally.
Events
29 October 2025
The 2025 Black History Month Conference is more than just an event, it’s an opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute to shaping a more inclusive future.
31 October 2025
Come and experience a world where fashion is more than fabric. After turning heads at London Fashion Week 2023, Kelikume Fashion and Styling is back, and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and right here in Aberdeen.
Call for Contributions: RGU Black History Month 2025 Exhibition
As part of the Black History Month 2025 Conference, we warmly invite everyone across the RGU community including students, academic and research staff, professional services and support staff, and alumni to share their voices and creativity in a vibrant exhibition of posters, artefacts, stories, and reflections.
This exhibition will celebrate the many ways people connect with, support, and are inspired by Black history, culture, and community. We welcome contributions from all roles and backgrounds, whether individual or collaborative, that align with the theme and purpose of Black History Month: recognising the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring a more inclusive future.
Your contribution could be:
- a creative artwork or craft piece,
- a photograph or visual display,
- a short story, poem, or personal reflection,
- a cultural artefact with meaning to you or your community,
- a summary of a project, initiative, or experience that promotes inclusion, equity, or allyship.
Some ideas you may explore include (but are not limited to):
- Histories of Racism and Resistance,
- Acts of Allyship and Solidarity,
- Black Cultural Heritage and Identity,
- Diasporic Narratives and Belonging,
- Intersectionality and Lived Experience,
- Black Excellence and Innovation,
- Community Resilience and Grassroots Movements,
- Decolonising Knowledge and Institutions,
- Mental Health, Healing, and Collective Care,
- Youth Voices and Future Visions.
Whether your story is local, personal, creative, or research-based, it belongs here. Together, these contributions will form a collective reflection of our community’s ongoing journey towards equality, belonging, and shared humanity.
Deadline
The deadline for submissions is 15 October 2025. For more information, contact Chioma Onoshakpor via email:
Reading List
RGU Library have put together a Black History Month reading list for everyone to enjoy.
Read stories from RGU's community in our dedicated blogs:
This year, to celebrate Black History Month (BHM), we are joining in on the UK theme but highlighting our diverse community with 'Reclaiming Narratives: RGU Stories'. We caught up with Dr Chioma Onoshakpor, Race Equality Champion at RGU, to learn more about this year's initiatives.
Join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of our diverse community for Black History Month (BHM) 2023 this October! Let's Connect, Create and Celebrate together to honour the contributions and achievements of Black people throughout history. Hear from Staff Equality Champion for Race Leila Neshat Mokadem to learn more about this year's theme, exciting line-up of events and how to get involved.
Black History Month (BHM) is an annual worldwide celebration of black achievements. It's an opportunity for us as a university community to celebrate diversity and educate ourselves about race, ethnicity, and learn more about the rich historical contributions of Afro-Caribbean people to the UK.
In honour of Black History Month 2022, the Staff Race Equality Network and the Race Action Group organised an open lecture entitled "Who Am I?" on Thursday 20 October. The event, also part of the university's Vibrant Campus initiative, saw internal and external speakers address an audience of 30 staff members and students.
In his community story, Student President for Education and Welfare, Emmanuel Akerele, looks ahead to Black History Month, which begins on October 1.
As the university marks Black History Month we caught up with Dr Ibiye Iyalla, the Academic Strategic Lead for Corporate & Postgraduate Programmes at the School of Computing, Engineering and Technology and Programme leader for Subsea Engineering.
In her community story, social work student and member of the RGU Black Liberation Network, Emma-Lee Davidson, looks at how to be a good ally and support the BIPOC community, both at university and further afield.