On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, at 9:30 a.m., the IQ Club at UITM will host another event organised by the Interdisciplinary Research Club Humanus. This will be the second edition of Black History Month at UITM – a meeting dedicated to the history, culture, and contemporary challenges of Black communities, combining academic lectures, a global perspective, and the active participation of WSIiZ’s international student community.

What Is Black History Month?

Black History Month is an annual celebration dedicated to the history, culture, and contributions of Black communities to societies around the world. It originated in the United States in 1926 as Negro History Week and later evolved into a month-long observance, currently held in February in the United States and Canada and in October in the United Kingdom.

The aim of Black History Month is not only to highlight key historical figures and events, but also to encourage reflection on contemporary challenges related to equality, representation, and social justice. It provides a space for education, dialogue, and critical thinking, inviting audiences to engage with history from perspectives that have long been marginalised in official narratives.

Globally, Black History Month celebrations are increasingly taking on an interactive and interdisciplinary character, combining lectures, discussions, culture, music, and the voices of Black communities themselves—so that history is not only told, but also experienced.

What Are Civil Rights?

Civil rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms to which every person is entitled in a democratic society, regardless of origin, skin colour, gender, religion, or social status. They include, among others, the right to equal treatment before the law, the right to education and employment, participation in public life, and protection against discrimination.

In the context of United States history, the term civil rights most often refers to the Civil Rights Movement, which developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Its goal was to abolish racial segregation, combat discrimination against Black citizens, and secure full civil rights for all.

In her lecture, Dr Sylwia Mazur, PhD in Law and Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Administration, will discuss the key moments of this movement and demonstrate how the struggle for civil rights has shaped contemporary understandings of equality, social justice, and human rights.

A Global South Perspective – Lecture by Russell Woruba

One of the key points of the programme will be a presentation by Russell Woruba, a former Deputy Secretary responsible for public administration digitalisation, the development of e-government, and technological strategies in Papua New Guinea. He is currently involved in the Queensland Global Connector programme, which supports educational, economic, and international cooperation in the Pacific region.

In his lecture, Russell Woruba will present the history of the colonisation of Papua New Guinea, with particular attention to the experiences of Black communities and the phenomenon of blackbirding—the forced removal of Pacific Islanders to work on plantations in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The lecture will offer a Black perspective from the Global South, expanding the narrative of Black History Month beyond American and European contexts.

Culture, Music, and the Student Voice – The Interactive Segment

The second part of the event will have an interactive and cultural character, engaging participants in a direct experience of the history and present-day realities of Black communities. This part of the programme has been prepared by students from the Humanus Interdisciplinary Research Club, representing the international student community of WSIiZ.

Participants will take part in knowledge quizzes, short narrative formats, and presentations dedicated to the history, culture, and everyday experiences of Black communities in different parts of the world. These elements will be complemented by music and artistic performances, presenting culture as a living tool for storytelling, identity-building, and intercultural dialogue.

This segment will create space for active participation, the exchange of perspectives, and direct engagement with cultural diversity, allowing participants not only to acquire knowledge but also to experience it in an engaging, communal form. Student-led initiatives will highlight the crucial role that the grassroots voice of the younger generation plays in education about history and equality.

Invitation to Participate

We warmly invite students, academic staff, and secondary school students to take part in Black History Month 2026 at WSIiZ.
Participation is free of charge. Due to limited seating, we kindly ask for group registrations and seat reservations by 2 February 2026 via email: pwieczorek@wsiz.edu.pl