Representation 365: Building Bridges over Barriers

We’re pleased to announce Representation 365, a series of talks in collaboration with UK Black Pride, starting this LGBTQ+ History Month. Spearheaded by UAL’s Jason Forrest, Student Partnership Manager and our Equality, Diversity and Equity team, as well as UK Black Pride Trustee Josie Peres, the talks aim to drive meaningful discussion through accountability, in shaping cultural identity and representation.

When are the talks?

February 2026

UK Black Pride Sofa Talk with Lady Phyll, CEO of UK Black Pride, 18 February, 6.30 - 8.30pm

For the first Sofa Talk, Lady Phyll, CEO of UK Black Pride, will be in conversation with Dr Rob Berkeley, founder of BLKOUT UK. They will explore how Black LGBTQ+ communities have long been sites of innovation, developing new ways of organising, caring, surviving and resisting exclusion in the absence of institutional support.

April 2026

Taking place during Lesbian Visibility Week and hosted by Josie Peres, this talk will focus on creative practice, innovation – including film making and documentary storytelling, centring lesbian and queer women’s voices and lived experiences.

June 2026

Taking place during Pride Month and hosted by Lady Phyll, this talk with a focus on grassroots Pride, sustainability, funding challenges and community resilience.

On the launch of Representation 365, Jason Forrest had this to say:

“We hope that by amplifying diverse, LGBTQ+ voices around principles of climate, racial and social justice, we can enable different perspectives and lived experiences to cultivate meaningful dialogue on the theme of building bridges not barriers.

UK Black Pride is more than just a celebration; it creates an inclusive community that bravely confronts the exclusions often present in mainstream Pride narratives. At the core of UK Black Pride are foundational beliefs of intersectionality, collective care, and consciousness. This reflects our commitment to develop cultural storytelling, pedagogical and research practices, offering a meaningful alternative to standard institutional practices.

Through these conversations, we will delve into the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ culture, demonstrating how it is intricately woven through lived experiences and artistic expression, by prioritising community perspectives. I hope the UAL community engages with and enjoys this initiative.”