Black History Month 2024

In October across the collegiate University, we mark Black History Month – an occasion for us to reflect on the contributions of Black communities to British society, and to renew our commitment to building a more inclusive culture at Oxford. 

This year’s Black History Month theme is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. It is a reminder for us to consider the untold stories of the past. At the same time, it is a challenge for us to take action. While history inevitably influences the present, we are never wholly captive to the past. We must always take seriously our ability to shape our future. 

Across society, there remains much to do on equality and inclusion. The riots of the summer, spanning many cities and locations across the United Kingdom, expose the need for concerted action against racism and xenophobia. On such matters, we can never be complacent. As a University, we stood together with other parts of Oxford city and Oxfordshire in our condemnation of racism. Our message was clear: any racism impacts all of us. 

Oxford has a vital role, as a university community, to play in reclaiming narratives through our academic and other work. And we have been. Earlier this year, I was delighted to celebrate We Are Our History, a Bodleian Libraries project that explores its collections, its work with audiences and its staffing through the lens of race and the legacies of the British Empire. The project won the Vice-Chancellor's Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2024. 

That is just one example; there are many more. I am inspired by the progress we have made thanks to many students and staff engaged in advancing race equality at Oxford, including through the Race Equality Strategy. With our new EDI Strategic Plan for the collegiate University, we have an opportunity to build on such efforts – and connecting them with our work in building a more inclusive culture for students and staff. 

There is lots on our agenda. This Michaelmas and over the coming months, we will be launching a task and finish group on Racial and Religious Inclusion, conducting our first ethnicity pay gap review and strengthening how students and staff understand race equality. In all of this, we will continue to be informed by the lived experiences of Black and Minority Ethnic staff and students – and to draw upon Oxford’s extensive intellectual expertise. 

Indeed, as part of these conversations during October, we are pleased to share with you, reflections from Professor Anthony Reddie on ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. Professor Reddie is Oxford’s first Professor of Black Theology and Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture. 

I hope you will join us as a collegiate University as we mark Black History Month.