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Arts SU wins an award for its work around Black History Month in this year's ACUI 2025 Conference

Written byStudent Communications
Published date 13 May 2025

Arts SU has been awarded the Joseph H. Benedict Jr. Social Change Award for Racial Justice for their work around Black History Month at this year’s Association of College Unions International 2025 Annual Conference.

The award recognises an institution that develops an outstanding social justice programme that stimulates conversation and action amongst campus constituents.

Arts SU’s chosen theme for last year’s Black History Month was The Art of Reclamation and included an uplifting exhibition and programme of workshops panel discussions, film screenings and performances which centred on the lived experience of Black students and artists while providing space to address racial justice issues.

Katwamba Mutale (LCF Officer) and Charmiane Chikiwa (Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon and Creative Computing Institute (CCI) officer), elected organisers of the exhibition and programme, said:

It was an honour to lead the Union’s celebration of Black History Month. It was important for us to reclaim parts of our identity and showcase the creativity of our Black students in the final programme.

— Katwamba Mutale, LCF Officer

It was important to us to have guest facilitators of Black heritage sharing their creative practice with our students to aid our goal of reducing the attainment gap and decolonising arts education.

— Charmiane Chikiwa, Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon and CCI Officer

Yemi Gbajobi, Arts SU's Chief Executive Officer, added

We are incredibly proud that year after year, our students, elected officers, and staff remain committed to placing social justice at the heart of our work in supporting UAL students. Winning this award is an honour, but it is not a finish line — there is still much more to do. Over the past 18 months, we’ve been working closely with the Social Justice Collective to strengthen our work in anti-racism and social justice. We're committed to building a clear vision and an actionable plan to ensure our efforts drive meaningful and measurable impact for the future — not just within UAL, but across wider society.

— Yemi Gbajobi, Arts SU's Chief Executive Officer

Explore more

Learn more about Black History Month at UAL.

Discover exciting opportunities and events for Black Creatives on UAL's Black Creatives Hub.