Celebrating Black History Month 2025 at South Essex Colleges Group

South Essex Colleges Group (SECG) is proud to celebrate Black History Month 2025, honouring the extraordinary achievements and lasting impact of African and Caribbean communities on education, culture, and society.

From Monday 13 October, students, staff and members of the public are invited to join a vibrant programme of lectures, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, and performances across our campuses. The events will be led by expert speakers, industry professionals, alumni, and community leaders, offering thought-provoking insights and inspiring stories of leadership, creativity and resilience.

This year’s theme, “Education, Empowerment, and Legacy,” reflects our commitment to celebrating the achievements of the past while inspiring the next generation of leaders, creators and innovators.

The sessions will explore the remarkable influence of Black pioneers and professionals across the wide range of subjects taught within the college, including:

• Business & Enterprise – Showcasing the innovation and leadership of Black entrepreneurs who continue to shape industries around the world
• Public Services – Recognising the contributions of Black professionals in policing, justice, politics and civic leadership
• Service Industries, Catering & Hospitality – Celebrating the culinary heritage, service excellence and cultural diversity that enrich global hospitality
• Science, Engineering & Innovation – Highlighting the groundbreaking work of Black scientists, engineers and medical professionals driving progress and discovery
• Sports & Physical Education – Honouring athletes and change-makers who have used sport as a platform for empowerment and equality
• Creative & Performing Arts – Exploring the profound influence of Black writers, artists, performers and cultural movements on global arts and culture.
• Health, Care & Early Years – Paying tribute to those who have shaped healthcare, social reform and early childhood education through compassion and dedication.

Black History Month offers a valuable opportunity for our college community to come together, reflect on history and be inspired by the achievements and resilience of Black individuals and communities. It also encourages our students to recognise the profound contributions that have shaped every aspect of modern life.

All events are free and open to students, staff with some accessible to the wider community.

Full programme of events

Southend City College Black History Month Itinerary (13.10.25 – 25.10.25)

 

Please be aware that unfortunately today's event (21.10.25) scheduled for 15:30 is no longer taking place.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
 

Theme:  Standing Firm in Power and Pride 

This programme is mapped to tutorial outcomes and the Ofsted EIF (November 2025). Each session is 60 minutes (maximum) and designed to be delivered within a timetabled teaching or tutorial session.

Day	Date	Time	Location	Subject area	Session title	Format	Curriculum outcomes
As per tutorial timetable	As per tutorial timetable	As per tutorial timetable	Southend	All curriculum Areas	Stories of strength & resilience in becoming a professional	Tutorial / Workshop	Explore resilience through Black icons; Reflecting on challenges in as a professional in chosen vocational sector.
Tuesday	14.10.25	10.45 -11.45	Southend The Pod	Mathematics	African & Caribbean Contributions to Mathematics	Seminar	Learn about ancient Egyptian mathematics, fractals in African design, and AC mathematicians (Elbert Frank Cox, Euphemia Haynes).
Tuesday	14.10.25	10.00-11.30	Southend The Pod	Culture & Language	Standing Firm in Power and Pride – Exploring Heritage Voice and Representation through Story	Seminar	Exploring and celebrating the rich tradition of African-Caribbean storytelling and its profound influence on literature, language and cultural identify
Tuesday	14.10.25	12.00-13.00	Southend The Pod	Personal Development	The Roots of Resilience – a personal reflection on pursuing a leadership career	In conversation	Reflections on a journey to becoming the leader of one of the largest Further Education College Groups in the UK
Tuesday	21.10.25	14.00-14.45	Southend The Pod	Science	Hidden Figures: Black Pioneers in Clinical Trials	Seminar	Highlight African Caribbean scientists and innovators
Tuesday	21.10.25	15.00-16.45	Southend The Pod	Business	Career transformation	Seminar	Analyse case studies; evaluate enterprise skills.
Wednesday	22.10.25	12.00-13.00	Southend The Pod	Creative Media	Telling our stories – African-Caribbean & Mixed Heritage Voices in Film	Seminar	A personal exploration of how African-Caribbean and mixed-heritage filmmakers use film  as a tool for storytelling, cultural preservation and social change
Wednesday	22.10.25	10.45-11.45	Southend The Pod	Mathematics	African & Caribbean Contributions to Mathematics	Seminar	Learn about ancient Egyptian mathematics, fractals in African design, and AC mathematicians (Elbert Frank Cox, Euphemia Haynes)
Wednesday	22.10.25	12.00-14.00	Training Kitchen & Student Lounge Room 2A.02	Hospitality & Catering	Flavours of heritage: Exploring African and Caribbean Cuisine in Practice	Practical Workshop	Develop practical culinary skills and cultural awareness by exploring traditional African and Caribbean cuisines.
Wednesday	22.10.25	12.00-14.00	Atrium & Student Lounge Room 2A.02	Enrichment	Standing Firm in Power and Pride: African-Caribbean Cultural Celebration	Cultural Celebration Day	Celebrate, learn an reflect on the rich heritage, creativity and resilience of those of African and Caribbean heritage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basildon College Black History Month Itinerary (13.10.25 – 25.10.25)

Day	Date	Time	Location	Subject area	Session title	Format	Curriculum outcomes
As per tutorial timetable	As per tutorial timetable	As per tutorial timetable	Basildon	All curriculum Areas	Stories of strength & resilience in becoming a professional	Tutorial / Workshop	Explore resilience through Black icons; Reflecting on challenges in as a professional in chosen vocational sector
TBC	TBC	As per class timetable	Basildon	Personal Development	The Roots of Resilience – a personal reflection on pursuing a leadership career	In conversation / Q&A	Reflections on a journey to becoming the leader of one of the largest Further Education College Groups in the UK
TBC	TBC	As per class timetable	Basildon	Mathematics	African & Caribbean Contributions to Mathematics Science, Engineering & Construction	Lecture	Learn about ancient Egyptian mathematics, fractals in African design, and AC mathematicians (Elbert Frank Cox, Euphemia Haynes).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thurrock College Black History Month Itinerary (13.10.25 – 25.10.25)

Day	Date	Time	Location	Subject area	Session title	Format	Curriculum outcomes
As per tutorial timetable	As per tutorial timetable	As per tutorial timetable	Thurrock	All curriculum Areas	Stories of strength & resilience in becoming a professional	Tutorial / Workshop	Explore resilience through Black icons; Reflecting on challenges in as a professional in chosen vocational sector
TBC	TBC	TBC	Thurrock	Personal Development	The Roots of Resilience – a personal reflection on pursuing a leadership career	In conversation / Q&A	Reflections on a journey to becoming the leader of one of the largest Further Education College Groups in the UK
TBC	TBC	TBC	Thurrock	Music	Rhythm, Resistance and Recognition – Charting the history of reggae music	In conversation / Q&A	An exploration of the creative, cultural, and technical legacy of reggae music.