Black History in the Midlands and Beyond: Connections and Context

Hosted by the Department of History, BRIHC, and American and Canadian Studies.

This is part of our Black History Month events.

History & Cultures-in conjunction with the interdisciplinary Centre for American and Canadian Studies-are hosting a roundtable discussion on Wednesday 25^th October as part of their contribution to generating discussion during Black History Month 2017. The discussion has been convened by the college’s new Race Work in Progress Reading Group and spans the breadth of the humanities and social sciences.

Bringing together scholars from across institutions and disciplines, the roundtable will explore doing Black history/studies in the Midlands. What are the challenges and opportunities presented and what is the potential for making global connections? The intention is for this to be a discussion about the act of studying black history in the Midlands, including suggestions on what directions we should pursue and how scholars regardless of discipline might make their work an enabler of societal transformation. 

 All comers are welcome and encouraged to participate. A drinks reception will follow the main discussion. 

About the Presenters:

Lisa Palmer is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Birmingham City University whose research interests include Black Studies in Britain, the cultural politics of Lover’s Rock music, community archiving and heritage, the intersections of gender, sexuality, racism and decoloniality.

Patricia Noxolo is a Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Birmingham whose work examines international development, culture, and in/security.

Michell Chresfield, who will chair/moderate the roundtable, is a Lecturer in United States History at the University of Birmingham, whose research focuses on the history of racial formation and identity in the United States. 

Érika Melek Delgado is a PhD student at the University of Worcester who has recently turned in her thesis on the history of Sierra Leone. She will speak to her experience teaching the history of slavery within the British educational system. 

April-Louise Pennant is a PhD student at the University of Birmingham in the Department of Education. Her research focuses on the educational journeys and experiences of Black British females within the English education system.

The event will take place on Wednesday 25 October from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm and will be followed by a wine reception. The roundtable will take place in the Arts Building at the University of Birmingham in Lecture Room 1.