Pride in Our Roots, Power in Our Future — Reflections on Black History Month Event at Queen’s
Pride in Our Roots, Power in Our Future — Reflections on Black History Month Event at Queen’s
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This Black History Month event this year, organised by Dr Eiman Abdel Meguid and Dr Gift Sotonye-Frank (members of the African Scholars Research Network and iRise) took place on the 27th November 2025 in Canda Room, Lanyon Building in partnership with Diverse Youth NI. It was a powerful reminder that visibility, truth and justice must remain at the heart of our collective work. The keynote address by Mr. Israel Eguaogie, highlighted the real and urgent struggles experienced by Black women within our systems. Their resilience, their courage and their stories demanded that we confront bias directly, break the silence that protects inequality, and commit ourselves to meaningful, sustained change.
The panel discussion brought a richness of perspective across generations. Young leaders and community advocates like Ms. Magdalene Ajani, Ms. Tiwalade Olatunbosun, and Ms. Inioluwa Olaosebikan, spoke with honesty and conviction about claiming space, reshaping narratives, and stepping boldly into rooms where Black voices have too long been absent. Their reflections challenged us to imagine a future grounded in representation, dignity and unapologetic visibility.
For Diverse Youth NI, this moment continues our commitment to cultural storytelling, activism and community empowerment. Last year’s Black History Month activities at Diverse Youth NI produced an eco-conscious portrait of Frederick Douglass — now preserved in the Ulster Museum’s collection — standing as a powerful symbol of how young people are redefining public memory and asserting ownership over history that belongs to them.
This gathering aligned deeply with iRise’s mission to advance inclusion, disrupt systemic barriers, and celebrate Black excellence in all its forms which was reiterated through the address of Dr Eiman Abdel-Meguid and Dr. Gift Sotonye-Frank. It reminded us that Black history is not a date on the calendar, nor a single month of reflection. It is a living movement, a continuous call to action, and a responsibility we carry forward every day.
