[This article was originally published in UEA’s official student newspaper, Concrete.]
The wave of Halloween consumerism and celebration often overshadows October, but arguably more importantly is the celebration of Black History Month. Every year since 1987, between 1st October and 31st October, we celebrate black achievement and excellence across the UK. UEA is home to a plethora of black alumni who have contributed substantially to sectors such as arts and humanities, sciences and politics. These are just a handful of those who continue to inspire us:
Valerie Ann Amos, Baroness Amos
Valerie Ann Amos is a British Labour Party politician and diplomat who served as the eighth UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. She was born in Guyana in South America, before moving to Great Britain in 1963. Amos went on to complete a degree in Sociology at the University of Warwick, before gaining an MA in cultural studies at the University of Birmingham and then studying Education at the University of East Anglia.
In September 2015, Amos became the first black woman to lead a university in the United Kingdom by becoming Director of SOAS, University of London. By 2020, she was appointed Master of University College, Oxford, becoming the first ever black head of an Oxford college, and the first woman to head that college.
She has since been created a life peer in 1997, serving as Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council from 2003-2007.
Binyavanga Wainaina
Binyavanga Wainaina was a Kenyan author and journalist, and the 2002 winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing. He was the founding editor of Kwani? Literary magazine in East Africa – a magazine that grew out of the artistic revolution of 2002.
His satirical essay “How to Write About Africa”, published in Granta magazine in 2005 became widely known for its discussion of Western media’s portrayal of African stereotypes, treating Africa “as if it were one country… [of] 900 million people who are too busy starving and dying and warring and emigrating to read your book.”
In addition, Wainaina studied commerce at the University of Transkei in South Africa, before completing an MPhil in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia in 2010. He went on in 2011 to publish his debut book, a memoir called One Day I Will Write About This Place.
After studying, Wainaina worked in Cape Town for several years as a freelance food and travel writer. He collected more than 13, 000 recipes from around Africa, becoming an expert on traditional and modern African cuisine.
He also spoke openly about his sexuality in January 2014 in response to a wave of anti-gay laws passed in Africa. He tweeted: “I am, for anybody confused or in doubt, a homosexual. Gay, and quite happy.”
In May 2019, Wainaina passed away at the age of 48 after a stroke.
Ayòbámi Adébáyọ̀
Ayòbámi Adébáyọ̀ is a Nigerian writer whose 2017 debut novel, Stay With Me, won the 9mobile Prize for Literature and the Prix Les Afriques.
Adébáyọ̀ studied at Obafemi Awolowo University, earning BA and MA degrees in Literature in English. She studied the prestigious Creative Writing (MA Prose fiction) at the University of East Anglia and has studied writing with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Margaret Atwood.
Her debut novel, Stay With Me, has been translated into more than 18 languages and was selected as notable book of the year by The New York Times, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian. Adébáyọ̀ was also awarded The Future Awards Africa Prize for Arts and Culture in 2017.
Adébáyọ̀’s latest book, A Spell of Good Things, was published February 2023.
Franklin Aigbirhio
Franklin Aigbirhio is a Nigerian-born British chemist and academic specialising in biomedical imaging research. Aigbirhio graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical sciences at the University of East Anglia in 1984. In 1988, he gained a DPhil in physical organometallic chemistry from the University of Sussex.
In 1991, Aigbirhio changed research focus to radiochemistry for biomedical imaging applications. He was later appointed as a senior research associate and joined the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre at the University of Cambridge in 1997 as a founding staff member.
As Head of PET Chemistry at the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, Aigbirhio established its chemistry programme and facility. He became Director of PET Sciences for the centre, and then Co-Director in 2017.
In addition, Aigbirhio was promoted to Professor of Molecular Imaging Chemistry at the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge in 2014. Upon being promoted to a personal Chair, he became the only black professor at Cambridge University. He later became Co-Chair of the University’s Racial Equality Network in 2020 and an affiliated professor at the Department of Chemistry in 2020.
What Black History Month events can I get involved in?
NBHM23 Community Football Event – Saturday 21st October 11-14:00 at UEA Sportspark
NBHM23 Grand Finale – Saturday 28 October 19:00-22:00 at The Narthex, Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich, NR2 2RA
World Premiere of Over the Bridge, a film by Tolulope Ajayi, Wednesday 18th October 8.30pm at Cinema City
Norwich, City of Equality & Diversity Grand Portrait Event – Tues 31 October at 2-3pm, at Norwich City Council Chambers, City Hall, St Peters Street, Norwich, NR2 1NH
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