What KSU is doing for Black History Month

In the UK, Black History Month was first celebrated in October 1987, led by activists and local authorities in London, including Linda Bellos OBE and Ansell Wong. The aim was to: celebrate the contributions of African, Caribbean, and other Black communities to British society and challenge the erasure of Black history from education and public life. October was chosen to align with the start of the academic year, making it easier for schools and universities to take part. 

In 2025, Kingston Students' Union is leading a month-long celebration of Black History Month, centring the theme of Black Health and Wellbeing.  

We’re spotlighting the importance of culturally competent healthcare and mental wellbeing for black communities. Health is political. Black communities in the UK continue to face deep inequalities in healthcare - from the underdiagnosis of conditions like sickle cell disease, to the lack of culturally competent mental health support, to the everyday experiences of medical bias and neglect. These issues are compounded further for black women. 

What’s On?

Games Night – 1st October. KSU’s African Caribbean Society is putting on a games night to kick of the month. 

Melanin Medics Workshop – Date TBC. An EDI workshop for nursing students, hosted by Melanin Medics. We’ll explore racial disparities in healthcare, culturally competent practice, and how to advocate for change from within the system. 

Football Fundraiser for Sickle Cell Society – 25th October. Join us for a high-energy football tournament raising funds and awareness for the Sickle Cell Society. Includes black businesses and food stalls! 

Black Horror Movie Marathon – 27th October. We’re screening iconic Black horror movies by Jordan Peele to round off the month and get into the Halloween mood. Fresh popcorn included! 

 

How you can get involved

Last year, students from the African Caribbean Society reached out to KSU to let us know that they wanted to fundraise for sickle cell disease awareness during BHM. So, this October we are doing a large football fundraiser/black business market to raise funds for Sickle Cell Society.  

If you have an idea for a BHM event or campaign, please let us know through our Your Ideas page! There’s still time to put together events or lead campaigns. 

In terms of the events that are already going ahead, these are the ways you can get involved: 

For all events, you can help by promoting the events on socials and in your group chats. 

Games Night:

• Reach out to ACS (email) to offer support with setup, game hosting, or welcoming attendees. 

• Bring snacks, music playlists or even decorations. 

Melanin Medics Workshop:

• If you’re a nursing student, register to attend and help the spread the word to your cohort! 

• Arrive early to help with room setup 

• Suggest questions or topics you would like covered 

Football Fundraiser for Sickle Cell Society:

• Reach out to ACS to volunteer to play, referee or help with logistics such as scorekeeping. 

• Help us increase our fundraising potential by sharing the donation link! 

Black Horror Movie Marathon:

• Arrive early to help with room set-up 

• Come! 

 

Give us your thoughts!

Head on over to our Ideas page where you can give us comments! Some questions to answer are:

Which event from the list above is most appealing to you? 

What volunteering option are you most interested in? 

What other events would you like to see? 

What BHM themes are most important to you? 

What do you expect from your SU for BHM?