Published: 25 October 2024
About the event
Sonia Gadhavi, Co-Chair of the Race & Ethnicity Network, reflects on the recent Black History Month event at St George's.
The Race & Ethnicity Network had the privilege of hosting a Black History Month event in collaboration with the Archives, and it was truly a day to remember! Over the course of two hours, around 50 people attended the event to honour and reflect on the rich history of the Black community within our university and beyond.
The event was filled with powerful stories from our staff, who shared their experiences and insights on what Black history means to them. These personal stories added depth and emotion to the day, reminding us of the importance of creating spaces where we can listen, learn, and grow together.
Enriching discussions
Professor Baba Sheba
In his Black History Month submission, Baba Sheba, Professor of Digital Education and Transformation: Embracing Future Opportunities for Black Men, reflected on the achievements of Black individuals, both past and present, while emphasising the importance of looking towards the future. He shared personal memories from his upbringing in Nigeria, inspired by his parents' academic accomplishments and figures like Professor Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe.
He highlighted prominent Nigerians such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who are "setting trends and shaping the future."
Despite ongoing challenges like discriminatory stop-and-search practices, Baba Sheba remains optimistic, crediting education, mentorship, and community support for his success. He calls for solidarity and a focus on creating a legacy of empowerment, stating that:
Black History Month is not just a time to look back but also a time to envision and shape a new, brighter future.
- Baba Sheba, Professor of Digital Education and Transformation -
Lorraine Brown
Lorraine Brown, Student and Staff Counsellor, shared a cherished photo of her parents taken on 20th April 1965, which marks her mother’s 21st birthday and their engagement day. At the time, her father was 24, and they had been together since they were teenagers, aged 16 and 20.
Her father immigrated to the UK from Kingston, Jamaica, in 1960, where he met her mother at a restaurant in Harrow while working as a chef. They married in 1966 and remained together until her father's passing in 2012. Lorraine expresses her affection for the photo, highlighting the joy it captures.
Sanchez-Jeremiah Davis
In another submission, Sanchez-Jeremiah Davis, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, reflected on his path to becoming a lecturer, shaped by his upbringing in both Jamaica and the UK. Raised by his mother and grandmother, Sanchez faced significant challenges, including being expelled from school before his GCSEs. Despite this, he became the first in his immediate family to attend university, earning degrees in Sports & Exercise Science and Physiotherapy. Over the years, he has worked in the NHS, privately, and for football clubs like QPR and Crystal Palace. He has been a lecturer at City St George’s for nearly three years and recently completed a PgCert in Healthcare & Biomedical Education.
Sanchez also highlighted the influence of his great-grandmother, part of the Windrush generation, who raised eight children and fostered 15 more. Reflecting on the racial discrimination he experienced, Sanchez recalled first realising the impact of his race in primary school when a peer was forbidden from playing with him because he was Black. He emphasised that Black people's contributions; from household items to medical devices, should be recognised year-round, not just during one month. His personal legacy is shaped by the resilience of his mother and grandmother, whose strength continues to inspire him.
Exploring cultures
In addition to these enriching discussions, attendees enjoyed engaging Salsa and Kizomba dance workshops, celebrating the richness of Afro-Caribbean culture. And of course, no celebration would be complete without delicious food! Attendees were treated to a spread of Caribbean dishes, adding to the vibrant and communal atmosphere.
A special Thank You to the Archives
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Archives for their outstanding work in curating and presenting the university’s Black History. Their presence throughout the day helped to engage attendees, answer questions, and spark meaningful conversations, demonstrating a true dedication to preserving and sharing these important stories.
Highlights from the Archival stories
Black History in Nursing
Archival materials from the Windrush era, including photographs and student records, revealed significant differences in the demographics of nursing students between St George's, then located at Hyde Park Corner, and St James' Hospital in Balham, which later merged with St George's. Notably, Daphne Steele, the first Black matron in the NHS, studied nursing at St James' in the 1950s. Oral histories from St George's indicate that there were very few non-white nurses, with one interviewee describing the appointment of a Black chief nurse as "revolutionary" as late as the 1980s.
Stories of Medical Students
The Archives document the history of medical students over the years, revealing intriguing stories. Hajee Baba, the first Muslim student at St George's, studied medicine in 1817. However, Council minute books reflect a reluctance to admit students perceived as "foreign" after the First World War, with concerns about their potential to "really amalgamate." Among the notable students from the 1940s are Michael Peterside, an ophthalmologist from Nigeria, and K.K. Korsah, an obstetrician and gynaecologist who founded the Ghana-Carnegie postgraduate program in obstetrics and gynaecology in Accra, Ghana, in 1989 to provide specialist training in West Africa. The Archives document the history of medical students over the years, revealing intriguing stories. Hajee Baba, the first Muslim student at St George's, studied medicine in 1817. However, Council minute books reflect a reluctance to admit students perceived as "foreign" after the First World War, with concerns about their potential to "really amalgamate." Among the notable students from the 1940s are Michael Peterside, an ophthalmologist from Nigeria, and K.K. Korsah, an obstetrician and gynaecologist who founded the Ghana-Carnegie postgraduate program in obstetrics and gynaecology in Accra, Ghana, in 1989 to provide specialist training in West Africa.
The History of St George's Funding Model
Since the establishment of St George's Hospital in 1733, both the hospital and the medical school were funded by donations, a charity model predating the NHS. Over the years, hundreds of people, including notable politicians, merchants, aristocrats, and cultural dignitaries, contributed funds. However, it’s important to acknowledge that some donors owned slaves or profited from slavery through family or business connections. Many were closely associated with British colonies or companies like the East India Company. The governors of St George's also invested in companies such as the South Sea Company, originally founded as a slave trading enterprise. Notable donors included Robert Walpole (1676-1745), the de facto first British prime minister who owned shares in the South Sea Company, and Bathshua Beckford (1673-1750), the daughter, wife, and mother of prominent plantation owners with hundreds of enslaved people in Jamaica.
These stories not only highlight the rich history of the Black community within our university but also remind us of the complexities surrounding our past, encouraging us to reflect on our shared history as we work towards a more inclusive future.
Image of Archival materials displayed during the event
Celebrating Together: Honouring the Past, Building the Future
We also want to extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event’s success. Those who helped with the planning, organising, setting up the space, and creating the perfect atmosphere with music. It was a collective effort that made the day such a warm and welcoming experience for all who attended.
This Black History Month event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging the past and working towards a more inclusive future. We’ve received incredible feedback from attendees, and we’re excited to build on this momentum with future events and initiatives.
"This has been a great event... it was so interesting reading about people's stories and all of the amazing people that have passed through... it makes me proud to be a Black woman working here!"
"Incredible event... speaks to the importance of Black history, representation, and the Archives."
"We danced to our hearts' content in a safe space!"
"Would love to see more such events throughout the year."
Thank you to everyone who came, supported, and helped make this event so impactful. Together, we’re making a difference!