Announcing the UnMuseum Black History Month Programming
Black South West Network (BSWN) and The UnMuseum are thrilled to present their slate of programming for Black History Month 2026.
Events
90 Years of Ethiopia in Bath Lantern Lectures: Testimonies Night
Friday 2nd October 2026 | 6.00pm - 9.30pm Fairfield House, 2 Kelston Road, Bath, BA1 3QJ
Discover, discuss and share oral histories of Fairfield House and memories of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie 1st, his family and Ethiopia.
Ancient African Futures: Systemic Constellations Practice A Decolonial Poetics Reading & Discussion
DATE TBC | 6.00pm - 9.00pm The Coach House, 2 Upper York Street, St Paul’s, Bristol, BS2 8QN
This event is an evening of discussion and exploration; exploring the themes present in Stuart Taylor’s first book – ‘Ancient African Futures: Systemic Constellations a Decolonial Poetics’, published by Palgrave Macmillan in Autumn 2025.
Unseen: Screening of Kuumba Centre’s Video Archive in Partnership with The UnMuseum
Wednesday 21st October 2026 | 6.00pm - 9.00pm Kuumba Centre, 20-22 Hepburn Road, St Paul’s, BS2 8UD
For decades, The Kuumba Centre has been at the heart of Bristol's Black cultural and community life. As part of this project, The UnMuseum is supporting the preservation and digitisation of a selection of historic recordings held within the Kuumba archive, helping to ensure that these important community records can be safeguarded and shared for future generations.
Fire Inna Dancehall A Legacy of Sound, Style and Struggle
Friday 30th October 2026 | 6.00pm - 9.00pm The Coach House, 2 Upper York Street, St Paul’s, Bristol, BS2 8QN
Celebrated author Derek Bardowell walks us through his latest book – Fire Inna Dancehall, which traces the collision of sound, style and struggle that created one of the most influential cultural movements of the past half-century. From inner city Kingston to the council estates of London, ex-reggae columnist Derek Bardowell charts the rise, triumphs, controversies and tragedies of a space where joy and resistance share the same rhythm.
Meet the Speakers
Adassa Dixon
Adassa Dixon is a historian specialising in Black History, cultural storytelling, and decolonial history. Originally from South London, she moved to Bristol a few years ago where she has worked as a freelance decolonial and DEI consultant, curator, and producer. She is passionate about advocacy and creative public programming that foregrounds racial, Women’s, and LGBTQ+ equality.
Stuart Taylor
Stuart is a decolonial scholar-activist, artist, systemic consultant, systemic constellations practitioner, aikido sensei and published writer.
He has recently published a book - Ancient African Futures: A Decolonial Poetics of Systemic Constellations Practice and Restorative Social Justice, published by Palgrave Macmillan.
Ras Benji
Ras Benji
Ras Benji is Operations Manager at Fairfield House, reporting to the Board of Trustees. Ras Benji takes a broad range of responsibilities including business development, day to day activities and community relations. On Sundays he volunteers as Fairfield House tour guide. A historian and researcher of the Emperor's life in exile, Ras Benji also has legal education with focus on international minority rights.
Derek Bardowell
Derek Bardowell is a writer, philanthropy strategist and executive coach. His latest book, ‘Fire Inna Dancehall’, explores dancehall’s influence on modern pop culture. His work has appeared in The Guardian, The Times, and British GQ.
Sister Nwani
Sis Nwanyi Aduke is Chair of the Kuumba Centre in St Paul's, Bristol, a longstanding community and cultural hub with deep roots in the city's African Caribbean communities. Connected to Kuumba since her youth, Sis Nwanyi has played a key role in sustaining and developing the centre for over a decade, championing community self-determination, cultural heritage, education and intergenerational engagement.