This list of itself is not intended to be a resource for Black individuals in Oxfordshire, but for everyone. So many charities, organisations, and individuals are making a positive and impactful difference in the world. By following these links, you are supporting both their efforts and yourself.

As a white female I do not know the experiences of Black individuals in our communities. I have found it difficult to research and make this list of links. Black individuals and their experiences are not well represented, and we have to be vigilant to understand the inequalities they face.

The purpose of this list is to amplify Black voices.

Please do your part this Black History Month to educate yourself, challenge your biases, become anti-racist, use your own platform to create change, and support our Black brothers and sisters by elevating their voices.

https://www.Blackhistorymonth.org.uk/

Facebook @BlackhistorymonthUK

Twitter @BhmUK

#BHM2020StrongerTogether

We can support you in your journey of recovery, and when you are ready, help you to secure paid or voluntary work. We run Recovery Groups across Oxfordshire and offer one-to-one employment coaching to make this possible. Refer Yourself or Someone You Know:
https://www.restore.org.uk/get-help/referral-form

Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Mental Health Helpline has launched a freephone number as the service marks its 1,000th call for mental health advice. Calls will now be free to the 24/7 mental health helpline which has received more than 1,000 calls from the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adults: 0800 783 0119   |   Children and young people: 0800 783 0121
oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/mentalhealthhelpline

Black Minds Matter UK’s mission is to connect Black individuals and families with free professional mental health services across the U.K. They aim to do this by making mental health topics relevant and accessible for all Black people in the UK, removing the stigma and remodelling the services to be relevant for the Black community.
https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/

The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network is the UK’s largest independent organisation to specialise in working psychologically, informed by an understanding of intersectionality, with people who identify as Black, African, South Asian, and Caribbean. One of the primary aims of BAATN is to address the inequality of access to appropriate psychological services for Black, African, South Asian and Caribbean people, which is a well-recognised reality. Part of the solution to addressing this inequality of access is through the provision of events and training for our members, the entire therapy community and the wider public.
https://www.baatn.org.uk/

Every Friday during this time of COVID, Black Thrive will be hosting a public Zoom drop in for anyone who wants to connect. It’s a check-in of sorts but often ends up becoming an engaging conversation about the state of mental health around the country.

If you are free between 4 pm and 5 pm on Friday afternoon, please stop by and say hello.

To join by phone, call 020 3481 5240 or 020 8080 6591, enter the meeting ID: 549374164, then press #

To join via desktop or tablet: https://zoom.us/j/549374164
www.blackthrive.org.uk

Every six seconds, Samaritans respond to a call for help. No judgement. No pressure. They are there for anyone who needs someone. If you need support they will be someone on the line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 for free, or visit their site for other ways to be in touch.
https://www.samaritans.org/

The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, was set up with the belief that your background should not limit what you can achieve. They work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds aged 13 to 30 to broaden their view of what’s possible, helping them to gain the knowledge, skills, and qualifications they need to pursue the career of their choice, and support them to progress through the early stages of their career. The Trust also work with community groups, companies and others to create a fairer society in which everyone can thrive. Their vision is that every person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity and support to flourish in a society that treats them with fairness and respect.
https://www.stephenlawrencetrust.org/about-us/

Black LGBTQ young people hold multiple marginalized identities. Under the minority stress model, experiences of discrimination, rejection, threats, and violence are compounded, and can lead to negative mental health outcomes. Despite Black LGBTQ youth having similar rates of mental health disparities to all LGBTQ youth, they are significantly less likely to receive professional care. The Trevor Project is a leading US organisation providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning young people under 25. Though based in the US, their messages are universal, and they have a number of resources to help youths with their mental health and wellbeing.
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2020/06/01/supporting-black-lgbtq-youth-mental-health/

Oxfordshire Therapy and Self-Development Centre are now able to offer a choice of assessment and therapy sessions both face-to-face and via video call. They help you find the therapeutic approach, format and options that are best for you. As they are connected with a wide and diverse range of networks, they have no particular investment in which path you choose for yourself, and can therefore give unbiased advice tailored to you. Finding the right counsellor or psychotherapist to work with you is so important for achieving the outcomes you are looking for.
otscentre.co.uk/

Mental Health Foundation have created a list of resources to help you to look after your mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.
mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus

The Black Mental Health Alliances mission is to develop, promote, and sponsor trusted culturally-relevant educational forums, trainings, and referrals services that support the health and well-being of Black people and other vulnerable communities.
https://blackmentalhealth.com/

Black celebrities are becoming increasingly vocal about their personal experiences of mental health, using their voices to eradicate stigma attached to mental ill-health. Essence magazine created this shortlist of celebrities from Taraji P. Henson to Jay-Z, sharing their stories, and showing us all that seeking help is a powerful choice.
https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/black-celebs-help-erase-mental-health-stigmas-encourage-therapy/#436025

Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, the movement is winning immediate improvements within Black communities and lives.
https://blacklivesmatter.com/

Academics for Black Survival and Wellness was organized by a group of Black counselling psychologists and their colleagues who practice Black ally-ship. Guided by a Black feminist frame, they hope to foster accountability and growth for non-Black people and enhance healing and wellness for Black people through training, education, and action.
https://www.academics4blacklives.com/

From Academics for Black Survival and Wellness, a list of resources to begin your anti-racist work.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PakgQkLLZ5kk6EuUw6F7PKkbGXiEZxyt8Q_Bm1zFZzQ/edit#gid=0

Stop Hate UK works alongside local strategic partnerships to tackle Hate Crime and discrimination, encourage reporting and support the individuals and communities it affects. They provide a toolkit to help improve local responses to Hate Crime and an alternative for people who do not wish to report Hate Crime to the police or other statutory agencies. Their helplines enable people to access independent support and information, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
https://www.stophateuk.org/

Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is the UK’s largest anti-racism educational charity. The majority of the campaign’s work involves the delivery of educational workshops to young people and adults in schools, workplaces and at events held in football stadiums. Across the UK, SRtRC provides educational sessions to more than 50,000 individuals per year.

In addition to the direct education of young people and adults, SRtRC produces educational resources, to challenge misconceptions, stereotypes and negative attitudes in society.
https://www.theredcard.org/

UK Black Pride promotes unity, solidarity, and co-operation among all LGBTQ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American descent, as well as their friends and families. UK Black Pride is a safe space to celebrate diverse sexualities, gender identities, cultures, gender expressions and backgrounds and we foster, represent and celebrate Black LGBTQ and QTIPOC culture through education, the arts, cultural events and advocacy.
https://www.ukblackpride.org.uk/

Kuchenga is a writer, journalist, and Transsexual feminist whose work has been published in many online magazines including Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar. She is one of a number of trans activists utilising their platforms to highlight the injustices faced by Black trans people.
https://kuchenga.com/

Travis Alabanza is a performer, writer and theatre maker. In the last two years they have been noted by numerous publications, such as ARTSY, ID AND MOBO _AWARDS, as one of the most prominent emerging queer artistic voices, and also listed in OUT as an influential queer figure, appeared in campaigns with MAC X ASOS and performed across the country and internationally.
http://travisalabanza.co.uk/

Mermaids has been supporting trans and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families since 1995. Today, Mermaids has evolved into one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities, empowering thousands of people with its secure online communities, local community groups, helpline services, web resources, events and residential weekends.

They also seek to educate and inform wider society on gender identity by helping professionals accommodate and reassure gender-variant young people.
https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/

This October, Sky History will be exploring Black History every Sunday from 9pm as they launch a new social media-led initiative, 31 Faces Of Black British History, to celebrate the achievements of notable Black figures throughout British History.
www.history.co.uk

Alison Hammond: Back to School is an upcoming hour-long documentary which sees presenter Alison travel around the UK to learn about key, and often overlooked, figures from Black British history. Those profiled include the British-Jamaican nurse Mary Seacole; Septimius Severus – the first Black Roman emperor; the Black Tudor trumpeter John Blanke; and Walter Tull, who was the first Black soldier in the British army to lead white soldiers into battle.

Alison Hammond: Back to School is on at 9pm on ITV on 6 October

16 queer Black pioneers who made history. From Marsha P, Johnson to Lori Lightfoot, NBC Out honours the Black LGBTQ trailblazers of the past and present.
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/Black-history-month-17-lgbtq-Black-pioneers-who-made-history-n1130856

As part of Black History Month (UK), West Berkshire Museum is presenting online inspirational Spoken Word Music by acclaimed Windrush actor/poet Victor Richards. The performance includes his recent three spoken word music videos of Windrush themes. Enjoy Victor’s unique style of performance and be inspired by his ‘edutainment’ spoken word.

This is a pre-recorded event that can be accessed via West Berkshire’s YouTube channel, with ‘tickets’ on sale throughout October.
www.westberkshireheritage.org/whats-on

Every Friday
Ten-Minute Book Club
During August, the University of Oxford launched a digital project called Ten Minute Book Club, releasing an extract from novels, essays, poems or short stories each week until October. As the name suggests, the extracts are short enough to be read in ten minutes.

Each extract, posted every Friday, has been chosen by Oxford academics, and is paired with free resources and an introduction by an expert suggesting themes or contexts to think about as you read, by yourself or in discussion with family, friends, colleagues, or anyone else you’d like to connect with.

It’s an initiative by the English faculty at Oxford, led by Dr Alexandra Paddock, Professor Kirsten Shepherd-Barr and Dr Erica Lombard.
You can find out more about the books which featured and read extracts here

2 October 6pm
Oxford Brookes University kicks-off its #BlackHistoryMonth celebrations with an online event in collaborations with Kuumbia Nia Arts, Unlock the chains collective, and Euton Daley MBE.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/Black-history-month-kick-off-celebration-tickets-115977563013

9 October 12pm
Be Visible, Be Confident, a brunch masterclass is an interactive approach to shifting the mindset of overcoming inner blocks on visibility, self-limiting beliefs and deservingness, and challenging barriers to create breakthroughs in career development and personal growth.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/be-visible-be-confident-brunch-masterclass-tickets-115983885925

19 October 6pm
Afrofusion Dance Class: Learn the basic principles of African dance mixed with hip hop in this fun and energetic afro-fusion dance class that will show you how to lengthen your body and extend your capabilities.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/afrofusion-dance-class-by-zulum-elumogo-tickets-115979308233

21 October 6pm
Join @oxford_brookes to redefine “BAME” as they celebrate renowned Black figures who dare to [B]e [A]mbitious and [M]odel [E]xcellence.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/be-ambitious-and-model-excellence-bame-open-lecture-tickets-115988610055

Thursday 22 October 5pm
Talking Afropean. @UniofOxford Johny Pitts in conversation with Elleke Boehmer and Simukai Chigudu about his award-winning book.
Watch event here

Hertfordshire County Council has pulled together this brilliant reading list for #BlackHistoryMonth. How many books will you read?
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/news-archive/Blackhistorymonthadultnonfictionbooklist

Honouring the remarkable achievements of key Black British individuals over history, in collaboration with the 100 Great Black Britons campaign founded and run by Patrick Vernon OBE and Dr Angelina Osborne. With a foreword written by David Olusoga, this book includes a list of Black British names and accompanying portraits – including new role models and previously little-known historical figures. Each entry explores in depth the individual’s contribution to British history – a contribution that too often has been either overlooked or dismissed.
https://100greatblackbritons.com/

Our Head of Fundraising & Communications, Claire, recommends Bernardine Evaristo’s novel Girl, Woman, Other.

I devoured this novel whilst on holiday in August. The twelve stories of people of colour are beautifully interwoven; at once thought-provoking, challenging, heart-warming, and hilarious. It is an absolute must-read.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/girl-woman-other/bernardine-evaristo/9780241984994

Netflix is marking this Black History Month with a special collection of films, shorts and television series which celebrate different aspects of the Black British experience. Black British Stories pulls together 20 titles that focus on “joy, friendship and family”. The collection will be live from October 1.
netflix.com

There are a number of great films and documentaries to watch this Black History Month. And Netflix and Amazon Prime have a range of films and documentaries which deal with issues of black rights and racial struggles, whilst also celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black people around the world.
https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/black-history-month-2020-films-documentaries/

I Am Not Your Negro is a 2016 documentary film directed by Raoul Peck, based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript Remember This House. Narrated by actor Samuel L. Jackson, the film explores the history of racism in the United States through Baldwin’s reminiscences of civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as his personal observations of American history. It was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 89th Academy Awards and won the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Am-Not-Your-Negro/dp/B071WSVYD6

If you watch one film this month, make it The Hate U Give (2018). The adaptation of the novel of the same name by Angie Thomas, is heart-wrenching, powerful, and incredibly relevant today.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hate-Give-George-Tillman-Jr/dp/B07J1786LP/

No list would be complete without a reference to Black Panther, particularly in light of the untimely passing of lead actor Chadwick Boseman, in August. The film marked a revolutionary shift in representation on screen, showing what it means to be black today and traditionally, challenging racial biases and identity, the battles faced by oppressed people, fuelled by a flawed hero learning the realities of systematic racism. An utterly brilliant film with a predominantly Black cast, that is a must see for all.

Read more about Black Panther in this Time article:
https://time.com/black-panther/

Watch the film
https://disney.co.uk/movies/black-panther

Sky History have released the second season of Dr Fern Riddell’s podcast, Not What You Thought You Knew. The podcast explores little-known characters from history to reveal their incredible stories with several episodes focused on Black British history including writer and abolitionist Olaudah Equiano, the Ivory Bangle Lady and First World War officer Allan Noel Minns.
https://podfollow.com/not-what-you-thought-you-knew

Author and Teacher, Layla F. Saad, converses with change-makers and culture-shapers in her brilliant podcast, Good Ancestors. With 31 episodes featuring businesswomen, activists, academics, authors, and more there’s plenty to learn about Black lives, discourse, and heritage.
http://laylafsaad.com/good-ancestor-podcast

Inspired by the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Deanna Lynn-Cook started The History Hotline podcast to better educate people on Black and Caribbean history. Deanna says ‘I think it’s really important that we do learn some of the things that have happened in this country, and why society is now the way it is… That’s why I created a Black history podcast. I think that Black history is not just for Black people. Above all else, it’s an interesting history.’

Listen on Spotify @thehistoryhotline

Witness Black History Podcast is available from the BBC, and features interviews with people who were there at key moments in Black and civil rights history.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01h9dl0/episodes/downloads

Bustle’s 42 Podcasts About The Black British Experience & Race In The UK list features a variety of podcasts, covering topical issues like Racism & Anti-Racist Activism In The UK Today; looking back at the Black British experience through history, celebrating the activists responsible for the progress made up to this point and reflecting on the collective and individual trauma Black people in Britain have endured; and podcasts about daily life as a Black person in the UK, the struggles faced and trials overcome.
https://www.bustle.com/p/podcasts-about-the-black-british-experience-race-in-the-uk-22949227

A new bi-monthly podcast from The Black Mental Health Alliance, Real Talk: Black Minds Matter is prepared to provide a podcast opportunity for all who understand (or are ready to learn) that #Blackmindsmattter, first.
https://bmha.buzzsprout.com/

From Black Enterprise, a round-up of 20 podcasts by Black women that are sure to inspire, spark joy, and give you a few giggles.
https://www.blackenterprise.com/black-women-podcasts-for-2019/

There are many Black bloggers creating engaging content online. Marie Claire has created a list of essential bloggers to follow, support, and share:
https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/life/Black-bloggers-influencers-to-know-about-701007

Or you can follow the Black British Bloggers Instagram for inspiration:
https://www.instagram.com/Blackbritishbloggers/?hl=en