Reclaiming whose narratives? Exploring the roots of racism

As part of our Black History Year event programme, we'd like to welcome you to join us and our guest speaker Jeffrey Boakye for Reclaiming whose narratives? Exploring the roots of racism

In this session, Jeffrey will explore how the wider human story has been interrupted by white supremacy and racism, examining the histories that have led to the need for anti-racism in our modern world. Jeffrey will consider how our identities are affected by these narratives, with a view towards empowering individuals and communities towards common anti-racist goals and social justice.

The session will interrogate definitions and terminology used in discussions surrounding race and identity, offering new perspectives and opportunities for attendees to think differently about race narratives across history, right up to the present day.

This free event is open to all.

Jeffrey Boakye is an ex-teacher turned writer, speaker, broadcaster and educator, with expertise in issues surrounding race, masculinity, education and popular culture. Jeffrey taught English in London and Yorkshire for 15 years and now provides training for educational establishments on race, identity, masculinity and education. He is also Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of Manchester’s Institute for Education, has eight published books and hosts BBC Radio 4’s Add to Playlist.

He received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Leicester in January 2023. Jeffrey is also a primary school Governor and is proud to be a Patron of The National Association for Teaching of English (NATE) and an Ambassador of The PTI.

Jeffreyboakye.com

Twitter: @jeffreykboakye

Instagram: @jeffreykboakye

James Boston will be hosting this event and is the EDI Accreditation Project Lead at the University of Westminster, where his primary focus is on advancing the university’s commitments to equality through the delivery of key equality charters, specifically the Athena Swan Charter and the Race Equality Charter.

In his spare time, James leads a project called the Association of Former British Colonies, which critically examines the enduring legacies of British colonisation. The project's goal is to inform both UK and global policy discussions on reparatory justice and decolonisation.