This Black History Month discussion in October 2023 ventured into the challenged idea of leadership within the Black and Afrocentric movements. Moderated by Dr Katucha Bento, panellists included Dr. Tiffany R. Holloman, FRSA - project manager for Brad-ATTIAN and YCEDE in the Centre for Inclusion and Diversity at the University of Bradford; Phoenix Nacto – Traore, Research Impact Officer at the University of Huddersfield’s School of Arts and Humanities; Sharon Anyiam, a passionate Lecturer pursuing a PhD in Sociology and Dr. Dimah Mahmoud, a humanist by practice, actionist by choice, and passionate change-maker by learning.

Together, these Black women professionals, academics and activists from Brazil, Nigeria, Sudan and the USA explored diverse contexts where Black individuals have catalysed change and collective efforts toward anti- and de-colonial liberation. This event was a collaboration with the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

This episode of Undersong sheds light on recent research into the historical links between the Royal Edinburgh Infirmary and the Atlantic Slave Trade. Dr Shaira Vadasaria speaks to researcher Dr Simon Buck and Co-Chair of the NHS Lothian Independent Advisory Group, Christine Maitland-Francis, to learn more about the findings of the research and their recommendations for how to acknowledge and address the NHS’s history of racism and inequality.