1st October 2020

Black History Month 2020

Black History Month takes place every year throughout the month of October in the UK. Also known as African-American History Month, it is a way of recognising and celebrating the outstanding contributions people of African and Caribbean descent have had on the world. It’s also a time to celebrate the here and now, and future possibilities.

At The City of Liverpool College, we are incredibly proud of our diverse population and are committed to providing and improving opportunities in any way we can for our students and staff regardless of their background, race, gender, sexuality or ability.

To mark Black History Month, we’ll be working with our partner charity, the Anthony Walker Foundation, to play our part in educating people about black history. We’ll be sharing the thoughts of our staff, students and alumni on what the event means to them, and why it is important to focus on our shared history and the presence of black people in business, the arts and education, not just during October, but all year round.

Education is a powerful remedy to discrimination and poverty, and as a college we have a responsibility to be part of the solution. Many of our departments will be showcasing the work of black creatives in their classes throughout October and beyond.

Read our Black Lives Matter statement >

Make-up lecturer, Fatou Jagne, will be talking to her students about artists who have enriched the media and make-up industries. Fatou takes particular influence from Pat McGrath MBE, a black British make-up artist and possibly the most influential make-up artist in the world according to Vogue magazine and other commentators. Fatou completed her Certificate in Education at the college and since then has been a lecturer at the college, inspiring her students with her own achievements. We asked Fatou for her thoughts on Black History Month:

“When it comes to history, if you have the opportunity to educate yourself, do so obsessively. Liverpool is a great starting point for educating yourself on black history.”

In addition, our Access History course curriculum examines Britain’s role in the slave trade and is representative of black people’s struggles and accomplishments during the era of slavery, colonialism and the US civil rights movement. The aim of the course is to respond to the lack of representation of black people within history curriculums, exploring British history in a way that is not done in schools.

Considering we are located in a city which was once one of the major slave trading ports, it is so important for all those who live here to learn about our city’s history. The course helps students to understand how Britain developed a capitalist economic structure and to understand where racism originates from.

Some of our own students are also planning to hold a series of musical performances pertaining to black history and culture throughout October, which will take place safely outside of the Arts Centre from 19^thOctober. We’re also looking forward to food from different cultures being served in the College canteens.

The hair and beauty department are currently registering interest for a brand-new course focused on ‘The Essentials of Black Hair’. This short course, accredited by VTCT, looks at treatments, styles and maintenance for black and afro hair types. To find out more, please contact our Head of School for Hair, Barbering, Beauty, Nails and Comp Therapies, Helen Farrow, via email at: helen.farrow@liv-coll.ac.uk.

As we continue to embed equality and diversity across the College, we will be working with student representatives, staff and external agencies to plan what more we can do going forward to bring about lasting change.

As always, we are here to support our college community, and if you would like to speak to a member of our student support team you can call them on: 0151 252 3733 or email at: safeguarding@liv-coll.ac.uk.