Look out for important Black historical figures appearing on screens around campus to mark Black History Month 2024.
In celebration of Black History Month in the UK this October, the University is presenting a series of sixteen photos showcasing important Black historical figures. These images will be displayed on screens around campus, highlighting the significant contributions and achievements of Black individuals throughout history.
This initiative aims to educate and inspire our community by bringing to light the stories and legacies of those who have shaped our world.
Ebi Sosseh, Head of Equity Wellbeing and Inclusion, said: “October Black History Month is a special time to continue the work of unearthing ‘hidden history’ as a way of reducing negative stereotypes around contributions and fostering better relations”.
We’ve included a small sample; how many more can you spot around campus?
Harriet Tubman (1822 to 1913)
American abolitionist and social activist. After escaping from slavery, Harriet Tubman embarked on around 13 missions, during which she rescued approximately 70 enslaved individuals, including her family and friends.
She utilised the Underground Railroad, a network of antislavery activists and safe houses, to achieve these daring rescues.
George Washington Carver (c.1864 to 1943)
Born into slavery, George Washington Carver was a pioneering American agricultural scientist and inventor, renowned for his work in promoting alternative crops to cotton and methods to prevent soil depletion.
He developed hundreds of products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans and was a strong advocate for crop rotation and sustainable farming practices, which significantly improved the livelihoods of many poor farmers.
Garrett Morgan (1877 to 1963)
Garrett Augustus Morgan Sr. was an American inventor, businessman, and community leader.
He is best known for his invention of the three-position traffic signal and a safety hood (a precursor to the gas mask).
Throughout his life, Morgan was dedicated to improving public safety and advancing the rights of African Americans.
Claudia Jones (1915 to 1964)
Claudia Vera Jones was a Trinidad and Tobago-born journalist and activist, known for her significant contributions to civil rights and social justice.
She moved to the United States as a child, where she became a prominent communist political activist, feminist, and Black nationalist.
Due to her political activities, she was deported to the United Kingdom in 1955. In the UK, she continued her activism, founding the West Indian Gazette, the first major Black newspaper in Britain, and playing a key role in establishing the Notting Hill Carnival.
Lilian Bader (1918 to 2015)
Lilian Bader was one of the first Black women to join the British armed forces. Born in Liverpool in 1918 to a Barbadian father and an English mother, Bader faced significant racial prejudice throughout her life.
Despite these challenges, she enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) in 1941, where she trained as an instrument repair technician and rose to the rank of corporal.
Her legacy is celebrated for breaking racial barriers and contributing significantly to the war effort.
Lonnie Johnson (born 1949)
Lonnie George Johnson is an American inventor, aerospace engineer, and entrepreneur, best known for inventing the bestselling Super Soaker water gun.
He was formerly employed at the U.S. Air Force and NASA, where he worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and contributed to projects like the Galileo mission to Jupiter.
His work has earned him numerous accolades and a place in the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
These iconic screen displays are just one of the ways we're marking Black History Month 2024. Take a look at our other Black History Month university events to see how you can get involved.