DMU’s Black History Season presents a month-long series of events that will look at issues facing the black community today and celebrate the heritage, history, arts, culture and accomplishments of people across the African, Caribbean and Asian diasporas.
There’s something for everyone this season, from film screenings, jazz, talks, lectures and ‘in conversation with’ events including legendary Olympic athlete Tommy Smith (who raised his fist in an iconic image of black power at the Mexico City Games of 1968), DJ, music producer and founding member of acclaimed group Soul II Soul, Jazzie B and English rapper, author, poet, and political activist Akala.
Highlights include:
Step Up: Friday 12 October, 6pm, Vijay Patel Gallery
Leicester based DMU alumni and BAME artists Kush Kali, Marcus Dove and Tim Fowler discuss their experiences of the art world and how it has been affected by their heritage.
BlackChat: Women Talk Thursday 18 October, 5pm, Curve.
FREE
Discussing the representation of women in arts, media and politics with panellist Michelle Gayle will be DMU’s Kennetta Hammond Perry, Director of the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre and Bertha Ochieng, Professor of Integrated Health and Social Care
Decosta Boyce: Thursday 18 October, 8pm, The Venue
Presented by DMU International Jazz series, the Hertfordshire born singer/songwriter/producer sang backing on Adele’s ‘Skyfall’ at the BBC, played Guitar for Beverly knight and The Rat Pack, as well as supporting Naturally 7, Texas, Mica Paris, Jazmine Sulivan and more. He sang and remixed the great Bill Withers ‘Lovely Day’ for the Haven Holidays 2015/16 TV ad Campaign.
Half and Halves and In-between People: The Prehistory of Multiracial America: Wednesday 24 October, 6pm, Hugh Aston Building
Dr Michell Chresfield (University of Birmingham) examines communities of multiracial ancestry that, during the height of Jim Crow, etched out existences in direct opposition to America’s rule of racial orthodoxy which claimed that just one drop of Black blood rendered all other blood irrelevant.
Refreshments will be served after the talk
Book Launch: The Dictator and the Heretic: Wednesday 31 October, 6.30pm
Dr Momodou Sallah of DMU’s Social Work, Youth and Community Division has a passion for poetry. In a poignant, palpable and provocative way, he pierces the sacred “logic of the system” and with his rhyme and lyrics, lays bare a range of themes: corruption, exploitation and dependency in Africa; surviving under dictatorship and oppression; post-colonialism and decolonisation; the beauty of Africa; love, heartbreak and hopelessness; and struggle, both internal and external.
Black history is part of British history and belongs to all of us. The events that make up DMU’s Black History Season have been created so that everyone, whatever their background, can take part and enjoy the occasion.
Black History Season at DMU runs from Monday 1 October to Thursday 1 November.
The full season listing and more information on all of the events can be found here.
Posted on Friday 28 September 2018