A new series of webinars will discuss issues of race, equality and diversity - and this is how you can get involved.
The Black Global Majority Student Network (BGMSN) is a new group dedicated to providing a unique platform for those from Black, Asian or any ethnic minority communities.
It’s a joint venture between Liverpool Hope University and other institutions in the city, including the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.
And throughout March and April, the Network will be hosting some fascinating online discussions, with help from organisations from across the UK.
Louisa Patterson-Brown is a third year Law student at Hope and also President of the Baking and Culinary Arts Society.
This coming Friday she’ll be hosting an event with Clive Saunders OBE, who is a magistrate and chairman of Watford African Caribbean Association, and who will be sharing his own personal experiences in trying to tackle equality and diversity.
Louisa, a 21-year-old originally from Telford, Shropshire, and Chair of the Network, explains: “We’re focusing on the issues being faced by students right here, right now.
“And the Network aims to create a supportive space which can empower students from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities from across Liverpool’s different universities.
“Whether it’s concerns about discrimination, hate crime, police brutality, or forced marriages and FGM, by having the Network, and through running various campaigns, we can give students a platform to make their voices heard.
“We want people to know there’s a structure in place to support them.”
Here’s a look at some of the events coming up - and you can follow Louisa’s EventBrite page for details of how to secure tickets. It’s best to book early as several events have previously sold out.
Race, Equality and Diversity (Friday March 19th, 5pm)
Hope’s Louisa will host an afternoon with campaigner Clive Saunders, magistrate and chairman of Watford African Caribbean Association and who was awarded an OBE in 2017 for helping vulnerable individuals from African and Caribbean backgrounds.
Here Clive will talk about his own experiences in tackling Equality and Diversity, while talking about the core values of the Watford African Caribbean Association
Breakfast For Dinner: A Discussion about Mental Health with LFC Foundation (Friday 26th March, 5-7:30pm)
The LFC Foundation is the official charity of Liverpool Football Club.
And here they’ll be helping to lead an open and informal discussion about mental health and general wellness, providing some practical tips and advice.
Black Voices (Friday 26th March, 8pm)
With Black Voice Letchworth, an organisation devoted to celebrating Black history the whole year round. Black Voice Letchworth are a group of like minded individuals who have come together to support those of Black African and Caribbean heritage and those raising children of Black African and Caribbean heritage within the community.
The group adds: “Our projects and events will educate the wider community about black culture and contribute to the national effort on the importance of Black History education and increase awareness of its continued invaluable contribution to the world we live in today, providing social spaces where black people are fully welcomed, free from systemic bias and discrimination.”
Black British History (Saturday 10th April, 8pm)
The organisation Black Voice Letchworth is fundraising for the UK's First Black History Museum Library and School of Cultural and Creative Arts.
And here the group explores some of the rich history they want to celebrate.
Identity and Self Discovery (Saturday 17th April, 8pm)
Again run in conjunction with Black Voice Letchworth, the webinar will explore what it means to be Black.
Louisa says: “We want to really examine what people in the community identify as. In this country we’re either ‘Caribbean’, or ‘African’ first, and then ‘British’. But how do we really identify? And what about those people who identify as being mixed race, first and foremost? What are our shared experiences of race disparity, and what stigmas are being faced? There’s also going to be a discussion about names - and why everyone needs to take the time to learn how to pronounce names correctly, because doing so respects the fact that our names are inextricably linked with our identities.”
Email: blackglobalmajoritysn@gmail.com
Instagram: BGMStudentNetwork