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Black History Month: 'Brilliant and Black' with Professor Gary Younge

17 Sep 2020

On Thursday, 1 October award-winning author, broadcaster and columnist Professor Gary Younge will deliver this year’s keynote lecture to mark the start of Black History Month

Black History Month 2020

Each year since 1987 October is celebrated as Black History Month (BHM) in the UK. This national celebration aims to recognise and celebrate Black British achievement, and foster general knowledge and understanding of Black history.

The University is proud to celebrate BHM 2020 starting with its flagship 'Brilliant and Black' event. On Thursday, 1 October we are honoured to welcome Professor of Sociology, award-winning author, broadcaster and columnist Professor Gary Younge, to deliver this year’s keynote lecture titled ‘The Fire This Time’ – a look at the current state of race equality and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer Patrick Hackett said: "Manchester is proud of its heritage as the first civic university and one with a collective commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion that - through excellent teaching, research and engagement - has fostered, for generations, an understanding and appreciation of Black history and culture.

"We are delighted and proud once again to be joining this national celebration, as the University continues to work with our own and other communities in sharing knowledge and lessons learned from the past - in the hope that together we can help address systemic inequities and enable progress towards a more just society."

Following the keynote address, Gary will be joined by:

  • Professor Nalin Thakkar – our Vice-President for Social Responsibility
  • Andy Burnham – Mayor of Greater Manchester
  • Naa Acquah – alumna and former General Secretary, University of Manchester Students' Union.

This event would normally be held on campus but given the current COVID-19 pandemic, it will this year be delivered virtually via Zoom (details received upon Eventbrite registration) and live streamed via YouTube and Facebook. The event is open to all staff, students and members of the general public.

More information

  • For full details and registration visit Eventbrite.