AUTHOR, educator and activist Zita Holbourne (main picture) will be among the keynote speakers at the North West Migrants Forum’s fifth Black History Summit.
Taking place at Ulster University’s Magee campus, Derry, on Friday October 24, the theme of this year’s Summit is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’ which invites attendees to reflect on current debates surrounding migration, race and identity. It also serves as a critical moment to acknowledge the contributions of Black and minoritised communities in Northern Ireland and the UK.
The Black History Summit is an element of the North West Migrants Forum’s wider ‘Black Heritage NI: The Hidden History Project’, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, the project is able to shine a light on the often-overlooked contributions, experiences and resilience of Black communities in Northern Ireland.
As well as being a writer, multi-award-winning artist, educator, community activist and trade union leader, Zita Holbourne has done momentous work in exposing the Windrush Scandal.
Joining her on the podium will be Lisa Williams, founder of the Edinburgh Caribbean Association. Ms Williams curates education programmes, arts events and walking tours to promote awareness of Black Scottish history and links between Scotland and the Caribbean.
Also addressing the Summit will be Rajvi Glasbrook, senior implementation manager for the Welsh Government Anti-racist Wales Action Plan. Rajvi worked on the ‘Cynefin’ report which made the teaching of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories mandatory in the Curriculum for Wales.
The event will be moderated by Lilian Seenoi Barr, Chief Executive of the North West Migrants Forum, who said, “This year’s Summit brings together some of the UK’s most influential voices on racial justice, history and education.
“We are especially honoured to welcome Zita, Rajvi and Lisa whose work continues to shape national conversations and policies across the UK. Their insights will help us explore how education and public institutions can better reflect the diverse realities of our shared history.”
Among the panellists for this year’s Summit will be Dr Naomi Green and activist and author Chantelle Lunt, both of whom are researchers on the North West Migrants Forum’s Hidden History Project. Joining them will be Ulster University researcher Seun Owanuga and Daniel Sanusi, organiser of Ulster University Students’ Union’s first-ever Black History Month.
This will be the first time the Summit features voices from all four regions of the UK, underlining its growing national significance.
The Summit is open to the public and the North West Migrants Forum strongly encourages participation from educators, academics, youth and community workers, policy makers and especially those working directly with people from Black and minoritised ethnic backgrounds in workplaces and public services.
Attendees will enjoy a rich programme of discussion, knowledge-sharing and culture as well as a fusion of Kenyan and Irish music from Maasai traditional folk singer Nelson Ngotiek and Irish country music star Ritchie Remo.
Admission to the Summit, which runs from 2pm to 6pm, is free of charge and light refreshments will be provided. To register please click on this link: https://bit.ly/nwmfsummit2025
Ends
The Black History Summit is an element of the North West Migrants Forum’s wider Black Heritage NI: The Hidden History Project, which is made possible with £534,189 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Over the next ten years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.
We help protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.
We are passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund www.heritagefund.org.uk
Further information
For further information, images and interviews please contact Conor Sharkey, Media and Communications Officer at North West Migrants Forum. Via email: c.sharkey@nwmf.org.uk or by phone: 02871 362184 or 07842445825.
