Black History Celebration: Workshop, Lecture, Music Performance, and Film Screening

The celebration will begin with an interactive Rhythm & Storytelling workshop with attendees where you will explore the concept of circular thinking and its connection to communities. The workshop’s relevance stems from the theory that circular thinking is why communities in African countries can easily connect with ideas that govern the principles and functions of technology.

Next, a lecture will take place featuring renowned Artistic Director and Choreographer Peter Badejo OBE, and Academic and Filmmaker Maureen Salmon as main speakers. They will explore how the concept of circular thinking translates into the SOAS system of governance and impacts Africa’s significance within the Global North and Global South.  

The lecture will begin with a 20-minute discussion involving a five-member panel. The discussion will focus on Africa’s education position today, using the University of the Arts, London and SOAS as examples, after which, Peter Badejo will perform a five-minute rendition of the African allegory of The Scorpion & The Tortoise. 

A screening of the film Emi Ijo by Peter Badejo and Maureen Salmon will follow the provocation. The film explores the Windrush migration and its link to Peter and Maureen’s recent Windrush documentary featured in the ‘Evening Standard’s’ Top 10 Events. The film is an inversion of Joseph Conrad’s book - Heart of Darkness - which relates to the lecture’s exploration of the Windrush period, African migration and its effects on globalisation.  

The lecture will end on a footnote on how SOAS saw itself in its past, how SOAS sees itself in its present and where it will see itself in its future.

All components of the celebration will take place in the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre (BG01).