Leqture Speakers
Race and diversity consultant
Availability
Time zone
Timezone: Europe/London
Don John
Don was also the founder of Black History Month in Southampton which has now been established as a core event in the city’s calendar. He is also co-author of books relating to Southampton’s Black History and is also a filmmaker and has made several short documentaries all with a “race” dimension. He has also been involved in the music industry and has curated exhibitions on subject matters of "Afro-Futurism" and " Blues Parties in Southampton”, He was also a Southampton Ambassador for Southampton’s bid to win City of Culture 2025 and was recently awarded Honorary Doctor of Arts at Solent University.
Don John has been working in the field of Race & Diversity for over 40 years having spent 10 years in HM Treasury in Whitehall. he then moved to Southampton as the director for the Southampton Council for Race Equality and he has been working on Race and Diversity in many different capacities.
All Leqtures by this speaker
Why do we need Black History Month
This session will examine the history and rationale behind Black History Month and why it is an important marker of the Black presence nationally and internationally and the contributions made by Black people all over the world.
Don John will talk about his own personal history and background and how that has equipped him with the wherewithal to deploy Black History as a means of examining how Race and Racism have impacted Black and White communities and how some of that history has an impact on the here and now.
Don will also explore with the audience who should or could be involved in Black History Month and how definitions of “Blackness “can influence our thinking around the roles that different groups play. He will talk specifically about what can be done to recognise unappreciated factors in that history and what specific steps individuals and organisations can take to make a difference.