Black History Month 2024

Written by Bunmi Enola

This October, the 2024 theme for black history month is ‘reclaiming narratives’ – a theme that resonates with people that identify as black, with black heritage, culture, and norms.

The significant shift to reclaiming the black narratives resonates deeply within the community and beyond. For a long time, black stories and narratives or the stories that took centre stage often told by others removed, diminished, construed or stereotyped the stories of the many black individuals and black communities that contributed to the UK and the globe. 

Stories – they serve to educate, inform, tell our truths, and cement communities together. Books are one way to do that, and in this reflective on the black authors that have written books that do such.  

I find Candice Carty-Williams’ book – People Person to be one written excellently, emotionally intelligent, funny and full of intentionality as she weaves through the tapestry of the story of 5 siblings, (1 dad, 4 different mothers) – The Penningtons who were thrust into each other’s lives as adults, never having grown up together navigate what it means to be a black family in modern Britain, especially during a family crisis, micro aggressions, black sisterhood, bi- racial identities, abandonment issues due to absent fathers, single mums and motherhood. The complexities of their stories end of making the reader understand that family life and what is considered as family comes in various forms or shape: from forgiveness, acceptance and eventual shall we dare say it’ love’.

Summer Social 2024

NU-REN Summer Picnic

The Newcastle University Race Equality Network (NU-REN) hosted a summer social in the Urban Green café in Exhibition Park in July, organised by the NU-REN Events Team – Sajidah Saleem, Sanjana Medipally and Bunmi Eniola.

As the academic year came to a close, the aim of this event was to provide an opportunity for members and their families, colleagues and allies to come together to socialise and grow their network of peers across the University. 

NU-REN members and guests at Urban Green Café
NU-REN members and guests at Urban Green Café

Gatherings and networks like NU-REN foster a sense of belonging and wellbeing at work and are a great way to connect to those around you.  

Last month the network hosted a talk and discussion on navigating imposter syndrome facilitated by Dr Julie Scanlon, as part of their CPD offer. This sold-out event was open to all colleagues, with practical advice and suggestions to help ourselves and each other. 

Upcoming activities 

The network will be resuming their regular member coffee meets from October, details will be available on the NUREN website soon. The meets are casual drop-ins where you can chat, in confidence, with other NU-REN members and the leadership team, or just catch up with allies and friends. This year, the meets will have themes including book recommendations and mental health discussions to help frame each session and facilitate conversations.   

NU-REN Coffee Meets 2024-25

Photo of three hands holding coffees and a soft drink together

At NU-REN (Newcastle University Race Equality Network), we believe in fostering a sense of community, connection, and support among our members.

Following the success of our coffee meets last year, the meets resume with the start of the new academic year – an opportunity for NUREN members to come together, socialise, and get to know their peers in an informal and welcoming setting. 

Members of the NU-REN Leadership Team will be in attendance to welcome members, and vouchers to subsidise drink purchases will be available. This year we have added some suggested themes for each meet, to help encourage and frame conversations.

Dates for your diary 

DateVenueTheme
Wednesday 9 October,
10.30-11.30am
Allies welcome
Courtyard, Old Library Building Favourite books by Black authors
This is to tie in with this year’s Black History Month theme of ‘reclaiming narratives’
Thursday 28 November,
1.30-2.30pm
Urban Sciences Building CafeDiwali celebrations
Tuesday 14 January,
9.30-10.30am
Allies welcome
NUBS Cafe, Business School Cultural exchanges: share stories, traditions and customs from your culture. Music, food and traditional attire welcome
Wednesday 12 February,
10.00-11.00am
Henry Daysh Building CaféFavourite places and local spots to visit in Newcastle
Thursday 20 March, 2.30-3.30pm
Allies welcome
Courtyard, Old Library BuildingEveryday kindness: Recognising and reducing micro aggressions at work
Tuesday 13 May,
10.30-11.30am
Dental School AtriumMental health: Making friends. caring responsibilities/parenting with or without your village

We look forward to seeing you at this year’s Coffee Meets to connect and share enriching conversations.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further information, you can contact us via: nur-ren@newastle.ac.uk.