Black at Sussex Conference 2026
Black at Sussex Conference 2026
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Black at Sussex Conference
Join us on 26 and 27 October for the Black at Sussex Conference: two days of learning, connection and celebration focused on Black experiences, knowledge, creativity and achievement across the University of Sussex community and beyond.
The conference will bring together academics, students, staff, alumni, community partners and business leaders for an engaging programme of guest lectures, panel discussions, a keynote address, interactive workshops and networking opportunities.
The programme will also showcase the Black Brilliance in Business initiative, celebrating Black entrepreneurship, leadership and professional success. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in an informal Eat and Meet session with members of the Black at Sussex Steering Group, creating space for open conversation, relationship-building and ideas for the programme’s future.
Black at Sussex is a five-year programme committed to improving the experiences of Black staff and students and supporting the recruitment and retention of Black members of the Sussex community.
Whether you are joining to share knowledge, build connections, explore new ideas or celebrate Black excellence, we look forward to welcoming you.
Each ticket registration is for a single day day and will provide access to the open events only - please see the schedule on the website closer to the time.
Full agenda:
Monday 26th October
| 09 - 10:30 | Arrival, Welcome & Conference Opening |
| 10:30 -11:45 | The Journey of a Black bookshoop with Afrori Books |
| 10:30 -11:45 | The Journey and Destination of Black Refugees (including film)' - by We are the Tree CIC |
| 12 - 13:00 | Lunch Break & Networking |
| 13:15 -14:15 | What Sussex has to offer' - The Black British History module |
| 13:15 -15:45 | Worklab for Creatives: Ready to break into the creative industries? Join The Kusp's workhsop lab designed to support, celebrate, and elevate students, alumni, and prospective students building a future in advertising, marketing, and beyond. Separate ticket required - Register for tickets here |
| 14:30 -15:45 | Black Brilliance in Business |
| 16:00 -17:30 | Cracks in the Foundation - Department of Medical Education, Brighton and Sussex Medical School |
| 16:00 -17:30 | Insights and Discussion into Dismantling Racism, Challenging Colonial Systems - by the Racial Justice Network |
| 17:30 -18:00 | Networking |
| 18:00 -21:00 | Screening in ACCA: Subnormal, a British Scandal including panel discussion with Bernard Coard (Book tickets here) |
| 21:00 | End |
Tuesday 27th October
| 09 - 10:30 | Arrival, Welcome & Networking. |
| 10:30 - 11:45 | Echoes of Empire: A collective story of Black Brit-ish Academics - by Dr Fezile Sibanda |
| 10:30 - 11:45 | Toward Spaces of Belonging: My Creative Path - Guest lecture with Tarik Elmoutawakil of Rhadical Rhizomes |
| 12:00 - 13:45 | Eat and Meet Lunch (separate ticket entry required, exclusively for Black students and staff only - book tickets here) |
| 14:00 - 15:15 | The Blackest Quiz Ever - with Afrori Books |
| 14:00 -15:15 | Diversifying Black Queer Archival Histories through a Radical and Contemporary Lens: Creative Methodologies, Institutional Access & Authorship |
| 14:00 - 15:15 | Collaging the Cosmos - an Afrofuturist creative workshop - with Erin James |
| 15:30 - 16:45 | Who Gets to Be an Environmentalist? History of Black exclusion from mainstream environmentalism and the movements that pushed back |
| 15:30 - 16:45 | Whose Knowledge Counts, and Who Pays? Researching Africa as a Black Scholar in UK Universities - Researching Africa as a Black Scholar in UK Universities – Dr Ushehwedu Kufakurinani, Sussex Africa Centre |
| 17:00 - 17:45 | Navigating Education While Black an interactive and reflective workshop led by the hon. Dr Stuart Lawrence |
| 18:00 - 18:45 | Key Note: Black Joy: Belonging, Purpose and the Power of Being Seen' - with the hon.Dr Stuart Lawrence, panel guests: Denise Noble, Ife Thompson and Daniel Akinbosede |
| 19:00 | End & networking |
| 20:00 | close |
Location
University of Sussex, BN1 9RH