Racial equity challenge

October marks Black History Month, and the theme is year is "Actions not Words", emphasising the importance of being an ally and taking active steps to create a fairer and more racially just society.

To support this, the Diversity and Equality Team have created a month-long Racial Equity Challenge, based on the original challenge concept by Eddie Moore Jr.. For each working day in October, there will be a resource or activity to engage with, with the aim of further building and acting on anti-racist principles and skills.

Read, watch, listen, and act- it’s time for actions, not just words.

Helen Oyeyemi Helen Oyeyemi

4 October - Read an excerpt from Helen Oyeyemi's novel, Peaces.

Peaces is about what it means to be seen by another person—whether it’s your lover or a stranger on a train—and what happens when things you thought were firmly in the past turn out to be right beside you.

Linton Kwesi Johnson Linton Kwesi Johnson

5 October - Linton Kwesi Johnson

Read about and listen to Linton Kwesi Johnson, the only black poet to be published in the Penguin Modern Classics series.

Dorothy Kuya, thanks to her nephew Paul Ogolo for permission to use the photograph

6 October - Dorothy Kuya Halls

Following a campaign to change the name of the Hall of Residence formerly known as Gladstone, the Hall was officially reopened as Dorothy Kuya Halls of Residence on 14 June 2022. Read more about the campaign from previous Guild Vice President, Jamilia.
Celebrating Black authors Book cover of Love in Colour mythical tales from around the world, retold by Bolu Babalola

7 October - celebrate Black authors

Celebrate Black authors by diversifying your to-read pile all year round, today we suggest Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola.

Professor Dinah Birch

Week 1 blog: literature and culture

We caught up with Professor Dinah Birch to discuss the importance of celebrating Black art and culture.
World Mental Health day Two young women pushing their bikes in a green space

10 October - World Mental Health Day

Watch Garrick Prayogg talk about local mental health services and read a blog piece from Mind about how race forms part of the history of mental health.

Black History Month graphic with two book covers

11 October - read

Expand your knowledge of Black history and fill in some of the gaps that are left by only focusing on the platable aspects of history by reading Black Tudors by Miranda Kaufman and Black and British by David Olusoga. Staff and students can enter the book giveaway to win a copy of one of the books.

Children selling paintings at Granby Street Market, Liverpool

12 October - shop Black-owned

It’s more important than ever to shop local and independent where we can. Buying from Black-owned businesses helps to tackle socio-economic inequalities affecting Black communities. Take a look at this list of Black-owned independents in Liverpool
Liv to Give, time to make a difference

13 October - volunteer

Time for change: actions not words, staff are entitled to three days leave to engage in volunteering, find out more about how you can get involved.
Victoria Gallery Museum building amongst trees

14 October - learn about Black history and culture

Watch Amanda Draper, Curator of Art & Exhibitions at the Victoria Gallery and Museum (VGM), talk through the history of some of the works on display at the VGM which relate to Black history and culture.

Allyship Book cover of Consumed by Aja Barber

18 October - Allyship

Expanding our knowledge and understanding of how racism manifests, is a key component of allyship, read more about Aja Barber's Consumed.

BHM at Blackwells Book covers on Blackwell's reading list

19 October - BHM at Blackwell's

Take a look at the Blackwell's reading list and find out more about some events happening on campus.

Book cover of Anti-Racist Ally by Sophie Williams

20 October - read Anti-Racist Ally by Sophie Williams

This book is deliberately small and a starting point for those who want to learn to become anti-racist allies, by joining the fight for racial equality, or for those who have already made a start but don’t know what to do next or how to keep up the momentum.

Ayo Barley

21 October - improving diversity

Read this short blog about 'How to move from fear to “feel good” when improving diversity' written by Ayo Barley, EDI & Business Development Specialist.
Book cover of The Anti-Racist Organisation by Shereen Daniels

25 October - creating a more anti-racist and equitable work environment

Read The Anti–Racist Organization: Dismantling Systemic Racism in the Workplace by Shereen Daniels. An incisive and honest discussion of how business leaders can change workplace practices to create a more anti-racist and equitable environment.

Pair of headphones hanging on a wall

26 October - podcast

Listen to Irene Afful, Founder and Director of Ametrine Coaching & Consultancy, talk about how organisations can set, design and deliver their equality objectives.
Students in a classroom listening to a male teacher

27 October - Allyship in academia

Higher education has struggled to create an inclusive community in which a sense of belonging is felt by everyone. This session (for research staff) will explore the topic of allyship through the journeys of four researchers and explore if inclusivity in academia can be a reality.
Woman typing an email on a laptop

28 October - including name pronunciation in email signatures

Names are part of our identity. While unintentional, mispronouncing a name can make a person feel disrespected or that they don’t belong- especially if it happens often. Phonetic email signatures are one way to avoid experiencing this; however, it’s a tool for allies too. Adding our name pronunciations to emails signatures is a simple step to demonstrate we are striving for inclusivity. When colleagues of all backgrounds take part, we challenge the notion of “normal” vs “difficult” names.