Guest Lecture Series: Stephen Lawrence Day 2021
Date: Thursday 20th May 2021, 18:00 GMT (online)
Click here to watch a recording of the talk
What?
Join us with panelists Kuda Mushangi, Myah Phelan, Kudzai Chirimuuta, Shawn Adams, Lydia Mills and Timothy Onyenbi as we discuss the legacy of Stephen Lawrence and the current state of race and racism within the profession.
This year, we want to celebrate SLD by giving a platform to Black people within the profession and allowing the to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences.
Who?
Panellists : Lydia Mills , Myah Phelan, Kudakwashe Mushangi, Shawn Adams, Timothy Onyenbi, Kudzai Chirimuuta
When?
Thursday 20th May 2021 from 6pm-8:00pm
Where?
Zoom
Why?
This year, the BLAC collective want to celebrated SLD2021 (22 April 2021 by giving a platform to Black people within the profession to have an open and honest discussion about their lived experience.
Event support by LSA 21
Please direct queries to lsaevent@liverpool.ac.uk
Black Led Architecture Collective (BLAC)
Our group aims to create a safe space for black students to be supported and heard. BLAC focuses on racial issues within architectural education and the architectural world, with a specific look at black people’s experiences within the profession. Within this group we will provide a range of educational tools and events such as book and film clubs to get a better understanding of architecture outside of the Western world. We are also interested in organising talks and podcasts to discuss issues that are prevalent in our current climate. Along with allies from other societies, we aim to produce termly zine for the entire school with hopes to display an end of year project at the degree show
Student led groups
This Talk is organised as a Student Led Collective Initiative and supported by LSA 21 Guest Lecture series .
Student Groups have been established in Liverpool School of Architecture through the work of EDI committee to provide collective voices to encourage activism, influence and change, as well as supporting a culture of empowerment. The groups provide a network to voice out and act on issues and identities.
Further information at this link
Panellists
Lydia Mills
Location Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Heritage English, Irish and Bajan
Stage of profession I am currently working Part 2 Architectural Assistant and aiming to complete my Part 3 next year.
Why do you think it is important that we continue to have conversations about race in architecture?
In any profession, racial equality should be an ongoing discussion. Britain's colonial past will not ever go away, but by continuously acknowledging our history and addressing racism, we can build systems that make equality, diversity, and inclusion a reality.
Shawn Adams
Location London
Heritage Bajan and Guyanese
Stage of profession Part 2 graduate
Why do you think it is important that we continue to have conversations about race in architecture?
It is important that we continue conversations about race and architecture so we can create a more diverse, equitable and inviting profession.
Kudakwashe Mushangi
Location London
Heritage Zimbabwean
Stage of profession Part II Architectural Assistant.
Why do you think it is important that we continue to have conversations about race in architecture?
Those who do not experience being Black in architecture can only feel comfortable discussing changes if we, as Black future architects, continue to bring the conversation to the table. Though this may not be immediate, I am hopeful that actions will come from this 'learning phase' which will ultimately benefit us and future generations in architecture.
Timothy Onyenbi
Location Manchester
Heritage British Nigerian
Stage of profession Practising architect running an SME practice in Manchester
Why do you think it is important that we continue to have conversations about race in architecture?
To educate and foster empathy rather than point fingers or impose rules.
Kudzai Chirimuuta
Location London
Heritage Zimbabwean
Myah Phelan
Location Liverpool/Birmingham
Heritage Mixed – Black Caribbean & White
Stage of profession Undergraduate
Why do you think it is important that we continue to have conversations about race in architecture?
Architecture contributes to society and the individual. Where we are born moulds us. The structures we have access to often dictate the resources we can use such as education, healthcare, occupations and even leisure. In a society where ethnic minorities live in lower economical impoverished areas at a disproportionate rate in comparison to their white counter parts, how could we as architects possibly go on without having a continual conversation