In 2020, Preston Black History Group and the Institute for Black Atlantic Research at the University of Central Lancashire collaborated on a joint statement of solidarity in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.

The statement reflects their continuous aim of combatting structural and systemic racism through collaboration and community engagement.

Now a new webinar series furthers this ambition by shining a spotlight on the important work of artists, performers, creators and thinkers who enrich their communities by challenging dominant cultural narratives.

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Here is a list of the upcoming webinars, which are supported by UCLan’s Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile and the Leverhulme Trust:

The Othello Project
Tuesday 15 June, 4.30pm to 5.30pm

The Othello Project was founded by a group of Black and Brown creatives working together at the RSC in 2020. Using art to challenge racism and champion the lives and work of Black and Brown people erased from history, they have developed an original series of monologues based on these hidden figures.

Nadine Knight
Tuesday 22 June, 4.30pm to 5.30pm

Jamaican-born Nadine Knight has a long history in fashion and designs and makes costumes for Spectrum carnival band. She also runs her own hair salon, Eufro, specialising in culturally sensitive hair care. Based in Preston, her clients travel from as far as London and Glasgow to consult her expertise.

Jade Montserrat
Tuesday 29 June, 4.30pm to 5.30pm

Jade Montserrat’s work skirts social activism by interrogating a range of materials through performance, film, installation, sculpture, print and text. She has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally and won numerous accolades. In 2020 she completed her PhD at the University of Central Lancashire’s Institute for Black Atlantic Research.

Phil Kaila
Tuesday 6 July, 4.30pm to 5.30pm

Born in Zambia, Phil Kaila is a multifaceted dancer, community ambassador and charity worker. Passionate about salsa, he was crowned World Salsa Federation Champion in 2006. An instructor with a huge following, he runs Salsa Northwest which sponsors 15 children to attend school at the Jack and Jill School in Zambia.

To sign up to any session, visit the Institute for Black Atlantic Research website.

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Will you be attending any of the webinars? Let us know in the comments below.