This week we discuss the OU’s Black and Minority Ethnic Staff Network’s inaugural Black History Month conference: ‘Reclaiming Narratives’, taking place on Tuesday 29th October 2024 in the Hub Theatre (more details below!) In keeping with the theme of ‘narratives’, we’ll also introduce you to the newly appointed Black and Minority Ethnic Staff network chairs. Colleagues have also contributed to a curation of recommended print and media highlighting influential works that explore diverse, history, culture and contributions from Black individuals in the UK and elsewhere.   

About the BME Staff Network 

OU staff networks are essential in fostering connections and support among colleagues. They create inclusive and welcoming environments, elevate the voices of underrepresented groups, and provide valuable insights that inform our strategies and impact our learning and teaching environment.  

The Black and Minority Ethnic staff network was established to offer networking opportunities for all Black and Minority Ethnic staff, promoting peer support, confidence building, and, importantly, greater inclusivity. It serves as a collective voice against discrimination and enhances social and cultural awareness of the diverse contributions this community brings to the OU. Through their unwavering commitment to raising awareness of racial equality and cultural diversity, network facilitators provide a valuable contribution to a supportive and encouraging environment for both staff and students.  

The outgoing staff network organisers can celebrate many years of successes through their work growing an active network and contributing to many impactful projects e.g. OpenLearn’s Race and Ethnicity Hub and an internal Peer Mentoring Scheme. We thank them for their efforts in facilitating a positive learning environment for students and staff. 

Awareness of Black history is especially important for staff involved with learning and teaching as it helps to enhance cultural competence, enabling our tutors to better understand and relate to the diverse backgrounds of their students.  This in turn contributes to a more inclusive, informed, and supportive educational environment. We encourage all who can to attend and support the event from our tutor community. 

Black History month Conference organised by the OU’s Black and Minority Ethnic Staff Network  

We would like to invite you to attend the university’s first Black History Month conference ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ organised by the Black and Minority Ethnic Staff Network, on Tuesday 29th October 2024 1030-1500 in the Hub Theatre, The Open University, Milton Keynes.     

We are delighted that all lightening talks will be delivered by Black colleagues representing each of the four faculties and Access and Open, or Professional Services (1 lightening talk per area).     

The closing date for registrations is 17 October 2024. Please complete the registration form to secure your place. Please note spaces are limited to 40 in-person delegates (priority will be given to Network members and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff) and will work on a first come, first served basis. The conference will be streamed via Teams.  

Please direct any conference related queries to BME-Matters@open.ac.uk  who look forward to welcoming you to Reclaiming Narratives, BHM Conference 2024.  

Introducing the new BME Network Chairs  

In ALSPD, we are thrilled to circulate introductions to the new BME Network Chairs:  

Roberta Davies: I joined the OU in 2016, starting in STEM, and since then I have worked in People Services and now in the EDI team.  I have been part of the Black and Minority Ethnic Network and its steering group since 2017.  I’m from Brazil and my professional background there was in HR and Payroll, but since moving to the UK (17 years ago!) my career has shifted to Learning & Development and EDI fields.  I’m passionate about helping people and making a difference to people’s experiences and it’s a privilege to be able to do so through the work that I do.  I enjoy meeting new people and find the network to be a fantastic space to do that and learn about different experiences and cultures. The opportunity to befriend colleagues in the network has enriched and broadened my perspective, and I’m excited about continuing to support the network members and colleagues across the university through this role.   

Mary Shek:  I joined the OU in 2018 as an Associate Lecturer, after varied careers in the NHS, Local Government, Charities and social enterprises. I have gained two Masters with the OU and currently doing a doctorate in Heath and Social Care. I have been in committee of the Black and Minority Ethnic Staff network for 3 years. I am on the Race Equality Self Assessment and Athena Swan Steering Group and working groups. My passion is Social Justice and Equity, championing the voices of less heard. I enjoy learning and I hope to support others to learn. Through the network, I hope to learn from others and continue to build a community where we support each other as well as championing equity at the OU. 

Ola Fadoju:  I have been at The OU since 2010 and have been a member of the BME network since 2019. Before joining the OU, I worked in Further and Adult education. I have also worked in the social work sector as a youth worker in West London. I am interested in the sociological aspects of sport, youth and education specifically in improving inequalities we continue to witness in these areas. I am currently the Co-Chair of the ECYS EDI working group and was a WELS AL rep in the Associate Lecturer Assembly (ALA). Ola is a Staff Tutor in the school ECYS and an AL in Sport and Fitness.  

Recommendations for Black History Month (and all year round learning!) 

Roberta Davies: I’d suggest the BBC’s  ‘Small Axe’ drama Small Axe – BBC iPlayer  and also the book Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga 

Mary Shek: My recommended book is Rollock Nicola (2022) The Racial Code Tales of Resistance and Survival. Penguin Books. The Racial Code (penguin.co.uk) 

Clemmie Quinn: Many Struggles: New Histories of African and Caribbean People in Britain – Edited by Hakim Adi. Available through the OU Library 

Suki Haider: I would recommend books by Emma Dabiri – Don’t Touch My Hair and What White People Can Do Next, Natives by Akala and Empireland by Sathnam Sanghera are short and accessible. 

Jenny Hillman: I recommend Epistemologies of the South by Boaventura de Sousa Santos – not an easy read but really deepened my understanding of decolonisation.  

This is obviously not (!) an exhaustive list. Please do add a comment below and let us know any recommendations you have for reading, listening, or watching.  

Clemmie Quinn – ALSPD