The Black at Sussex project launched in 2022. It aims to improve the experience of Black students and staff at Sussex, through ongoing research, events and initiatives.
Black at Sussex has three main objectives.
Black at Sussex launched with an event at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton, involving members of the University of Sussex, Black Cultural Archives and notable figures from arts and culture. The Black Cultural Archives was founded by Sussex alumnus and curator of Black British history, the late Len Garrison: the event recognised and celebrated his life and work, and marked the beginning of the University’s collaboration with the UK’s home of Black British History.
Black at Sussex is driven by a Project Lead and a steering group that includes students and staff who work across the University of Sussex.
Our list of organisations offering products and services to Black and Global majority people in Sussex
Meet the Black at Sussex Project Lead and Steering Committee
The Black at Sussex project is constantly evolving.
We want to celebrate our Black alumni, and encourage and welcome alumni returning to engage with our current Sussex students.
Sussex alumni have been involved with Black at Sussex since the launch. We’ve commissioned a series of portraits of some of our Black alumni, taken by Charlie Philips and Eddie Otchere. The first five portraits were exhibited in the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts in autumn 2023 and visited by staff, students, alumni and members of the public.
Read more about the project and see some of the photography in this blog post for the ‘Writing Race’ series by Sussex alumna Valerie Kporye.
Black at Sussex has a modest budget for activations that help further our overarching goal of improving the experiences of Black students and staff, as well as our three core objectives. If you have an idea or are already involved in something which you feel contributes, we welcome applications for funding support.
To submit a proposal for Black at Sussex support, financial or otherwise, please complete this online request form.
At Black at Sussex we believe in the power of collaboration to achieve shared goals. Because of this we are committed to establishing collaborative partnerships with Black led organisations. If you would like to be considered as a Black at Sussex partner please reach out to blackatsussex@sussex.ac.uk.
All Black at Sussex events, and associated events, will be listed here.
If you would like to share suggestions or feedback, or get involved in any capacity from volunteer to steering committee, we are always keen to hear from you. Please email blackatsussex@sussex.ac.uk
If you would like to share your experiences as a student or staff member, you can request a call back or an in-person meetup. Please email blackatsussex@sussex.ac.uk
