Black History Month 2026
An opportunity to reflect, recognise and celebrate black heritage, culture and achievements.
Every October, Black History Month offers a valuable opportunity to reflect, learn, and celebrate. It is a time to recognise the achievements and contributions of the Black British community and to acknowledge the resilience and pride that continue to shape our society today.
This year’s theme, Honouring Our Communities, invites us to recognise the individuals whose everyday contributions shape, support and sustain Black life across the UK
Here at the University of Surrey, our focus on Black History Month forms part of our far-reaching and long-term strategy to support equality, diversity and inclusion across the board.
For this year’s Black History Month, we are pleased to invite you to several events. Please note that details of confirmed events are below - but watch this space for more events being added!
Events and activities for students
‘Let’s talk’ pop-up opportunity
Tuesday 27 October 2026, 2:00pm - 4:00pm, Activity tables outside the Co-op, Stag Hill campus
Meet with Steve Elliott, Centre for Wellbeing counsellor, for an informal chat about mental health in minority communities.
Black Sport Collective: The Barbershop
Monday 5 October 2026, 3:00pm - 7:00pm, The Front Room, Students' Union Building, Stag Hill campus
Enjoy a free barbering session, meet new people and build connections. Free food will be included!
Fid out more via Black Sport Collective: The Barbershop - Surrey Students' Union
Food 'special'
- The Hideout will be offering a jerk chicken and mango mayo special bagel/baguette filling - give it a try this month!
Events and activities for all
Celebrate Black History Month with the Library
Monday 12 October - Friday 23 October 2026, Library entrance
This Black History Month, the Library is celebrating the theme "Honouring Our Communities" through a range of activities designed to inspire reflection, conversation and discovery.
Explore our specially curated reading list featuring Black authors and discover a companion Box of Broadcasts playlist showcasing recordings and interviews with many of these writers and creators.
Join us in recognising, celebrating and honouring the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Black communities throughout October.
Future Leaders
Future Leaders is an extracurricular programme that runs alongside your degree, offering opportunities for personal development to enrich your university experience.
You can take part in a variety of ways – from joining interactive workshops and in-person events to taking part in paid part-time work opportunities. As Future Leaders is designed with Student Success Priority groups in mind, some opportunities such as Mature Learner Cafes or Commuting Student meetups will be more bespoke to certain communities.
More opportunities
Meet other students at a club or society
There are over 160 clubs and societies to choose from at Surrey. They're a great opportunity to meet likeminded people and learn new skills.
Join the SEED Network for staff and postgraduate researchers
SEED is a safe space for staff and postgraduate researchers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to explore collective identity related to race and ethnicity.
Student support and advice relating to Race and Racial Discrimination
The Centre for Wellbeing (CWB) recognise the challenges faced by many students of colour and those from diverse minority backgrounds. The team welcome the opportunity to provide specific support especially in matters of racial discrimination, harassment, overt racism or microaggressions.
You can find out how to access specific support for Race and Racial Discrimination on MySurrey.
Supporting and working towards race equality at Surrey
We are committed to ensuring that our institutional values focus on creating equitable opportunities and outcomes for minoritised groups at Surrey. We have developed and implemented an extensive action plan that includes a focus on a reduction of the awarding gap between Black, Asian and minority ethnic students and White students, and a comprehensive approach to improving race equality for staff and students.
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