Posted Tuesday 3 October 2023
Inspirational Black women are taking centre stage in an installation at Kingston University's award-winning Town House building to mark Black History Month.
The 30 women highlighted include politicians, artists, writers, campaigners, musicians, entrepreneurs and sports stars. Their names are featured prominently on the main staircase at Town House in an installation inspired by the theme of this year's Black History Month, Saluting Our Sisters.
The University's equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) partner, Reece St Omer, said he hoped the installation would spark conversations among students, staff and the local community about Black British women who had made a significant contribution to British society. "This year there has been a very conscious decision to focus on British Black women as Black History Month is often seen through an American lens, featuring leading individuals almost exclusively from the USA, which makes it more difficult for Black British people to relate to," he explained.
"Iconic figures who have championed racial equality such as Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks remain integral, but if we're trying to be intersectional, if we're trying to truly make a difference and celebrate a full representation of Black history, this is a subject that can't be viewed through a singular lens."
The list of influential females whose names will be a key feature on Town House's imposing staircase throughout the month was selected in collaboration with the University's BAME staff network co-chairs, Thuy Mason and Anthony Lam. Names of inspirational Black women emblazoned on the building's main thoroughfare include writers Zadie Smith and Michaela Cole, activists Connie Mark and Olive Morris, musicians Estelle and Joan Armatrading and athletes Nicola Adams and Denise Lewis.
Despite being a critically acclaimed author, Zadie Smith, for example, was someone who had not received the same level of attention as that afforded to her male peers, Mr St Omer said. Other examples included entrepreneur and businesswoman Jessica Huie, founder of an award-winning multicultural greeting card company that became the first independent brand to secure a high-street presence for cards representing the Black community and people of colour.
"It's really a significant gap that these are women aren't spoken about at the forefront of conversations around Black history and Black achievement," Mr St Omer added. "We want to ensure these women's accomplishments are celebrated and their voices are heard."
He hoped the names featured on the stairway would become a particular talking point during the course of the month. "It would be wonderful to see groups of students and staff having conversations about the group of quite exceptional women we are putting in the spotlight as part of the display," he said.
A series of events are planned across the University during Black History Month. Highlights include a visit from multidisciplinary artist Seyon Amosu, who will speak about navigating the fashion industry as a Black queer person. Tessy Ojo, chief executive officer of the Diana Award and the first Briton to be awarded the Martin Luther King Award, will deliver a keynote speech focusing on the month's theme of Saluting Our Sisters, while University Provost Professor Helen Laville will reflect on the life and legacy of activist Ella Baker, regarded as the mother of the civil rights movement.
Dean of Kingston School of Art and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Inclusion and Sustainability Mandy Ure said that, while the University worked year-round to address areas of inequality, Black History Month was a special time during which everyone could reflect on their actions and, this year, celebrate the Black women who made such vital contributions to the University's staff and student community and wider society.
"For me, Black History Month is a time to examine the efficacy of my allyship, to help give voice and emphasis to lived experiences and, in light of this year's theme, to celebrate the innovation and creativity of Black women," she said. "In the creative industries in particular we need to work for equity and a more inclusive culture across all fields. Addressing representation and levels of access and achievement in education is a first step to fostering success both within and outside education."
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