Reparative Justice, Diaspora and Responsibility – Black Women's Narratives in Higher Education
When:
—
Venue:
Birkbeck Main Building, Malet Street
Reparative Justice, Black Women, Diaspora and Responsibility
A conference on the reparative justice narratives of Black women education activists
Date: Tuesday 24th June 2025
Time: 10-4-30pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre - Room B33, Birkbeck University of London, Malet Street
Aimed at: Higher education researchers, scholars of race, gender, social justice and education.
Conference Organiser: Dr Jan Etienne j.etienne@bbk.c.uk
(This conference will be photographed and recorded for our website - if you have any objections, please contact the organiser: Dr Jan Etienne j.etienne@bbk.ac.uk)
Introducing the conference:
Reparation is rooted in a historical analysis of the processes of domination and exploitation. This conference will present Black women’s narratives in an area where we remain largely unheard yet continue to bear the brunt of responsibility for ‘taking care’ of the day-to-day impact of colonial injustices. To demonstrate Black women’s survival in the struggle for reparative justice, we share narratives of resistances and acknowledge the extent to which Black communities are severely impacted by colonial histories.
Reparative Justice - Womanism Research Network Conference, 24th June 2025 (9.30-4pm) Birkbeck University of London, Malet Street WC1E 7HX
Against the Wind: Black Women, Diaspora, Collaboration and Responsibility
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE!
Please note:
This event will be recorded, and photographs will be taken for our website.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE, PLEASE REGISTER FOR A WORKSHOP (A-D) FROM THE LIST BELOW
Programme
Morning (ROOM B33)
09.30: Registration / Workshop Selection
10:00: Chair’s Welcome – Khyla Kadeena-Miller
10.05: Introduction: Dr Jan Etienne
10.15: Against The Wind: Carmelita Kadeena,
10.20: ‘How Dare I’, Performance by Angela ‘Poppyseed’ Harvey
10.30: KEYNOTE ADDRESS – Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP
10:45: Reparative Justice Activism Panel – Moderated by Elizabeth Charles (Assistant Director of Library Services)
Panel members: Nandita Sirker, (PhD Candidate), Debi Lewinson-Roberts, (PhD Candidate), Cllr Patsy Cummings, (Community activist and local Councillor), Palmela Witter, (Third Sector Champion and Trustee, the Institute for Voluntary Action Research)
11.00: Questions and Discussion
12.15: Jessica Meade (Poet)
12.30-1.30: LUNCH (Room B30)
Afternoon
Workshops (A-D) (1.45-2.45)
Workshop A: From Homeland to Motherland - Small Island states: reparative justice and womanist leadership for legacy and change
TALK1: Black Women and Leadership: A Narrative Analysis - ‘Selected public recordings’ – Reparative Justice - Call for Action’. Presenter: Dawn Dukar, Womanism, Activism Higher Education Research Network
TALK 2: ‘Tanty Mauvais: ‘Strong, enslaved Caribbean women and my Great-grandfather - The Sugar Slave’: A story of legacy by Michele Beute Lecturer, Lawyer and Spoken Word Artiste
Facilitator: Jen Davis, Notetaker: Shania Patterson - Room B33
Workshop B: Reparative justice in Spaces of Solidarity: Black feminist Celebration of Womanist Reparative Justice Art and Narratives of Wellbeing.
TALK 1:
Paper presented by: Debi Lewinson-Roberts, Birkbeck PhD Candidate
TALK 2: Reconnecting with Caribbean mothers: A paper presented by the artist, Iesha Denize Ledeatte (National Windrush museum)
Talk 3: Roundtable: Discussion with the Artists: Carmelita Kadeena, Iesha Denize Ledeatte, Elaine Harper-Gay
Artwork on display.
(Room B30: Lounge)
Facilitator: Ghamza Coker, Note taker: Yvonne Murray
Workshop C. ‘A name in History’: Reparative justice stories of Joy, hope, laughter and happiness’: Presented by the Author: Hillery Baptiste
Facilitator: Matilda Okuyiga, Notetaker: Judith McLeary
Room G22
Workshop D. Collaboration, Sisterhood and Community
Talk 1: Reparative justice, refugees and asylum seekers - Solidarity in sisterhood.
Paper presented by Nandita Sirker, Birkbeck PhD Candidate
Talk 2: Roundtable: discussion: Reparations Now! The Centrality of Reparative Justice for a Humanizing Future: Written by Professor Patricia Daley. Discussants: Palmela Witter, Patsy Cummings and Nandita Sirker.
Facilitator Fyna Dowe, Notetaker: Debbie Shallow. Room B29
3.00: PLENARY (Room B33)
Caribbean Reparations Movement: The critical Contributions of Black Women, Sabrina Bowen, Birkbeck PhD Candidate (Online)
3.05: Feedback from Workshops
3.30: Next Steps: Dr Jan Etienne
3.55: Vote of Thanks
4.00: END
For more information contact: Dr Jan Etienne j.etienne@bbk.ac.uk
This conference is organised by The Womanism, Activism, Higher Education Research Network (WAHERN) Womanism, Activism, Higher Education Research Network — Birkbeck, University of London
It is funded by: The Birkbeck African Diaspora Research Initiative (BADRI)
And The Birkbeck, Institute for Gender and Sexuality (BiGS)
Supported by: The Birkbeck Institute for Social research (BISR) and Dawn Butler MP
Contact name: Matthew Barrington
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