Celebrate Dorothy Kuya this Black History Month
On the 14th June 2022, the University officially opened the Dorothy Kuya Halls of Residence Standing together with student campaigners who ignited the conversation, key staff members who were committed to diversifying our campus and our Student Officers who brought the campaign back to the forefront of conversation, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dorothy Kuya and the amazing impact of the student collective voice for change.
How the Dorothy Kuya Halls came to be:
In 2017, a proposal was put forward via the Guild’s Change It platform to change the name of the Halls of Residence formerly known as Gladstone. This was taken through the Guild’s democratic processes, including our student-led decision-making body – Guild Summit. Thanks to tireless campaigning; including petitions, writing open letters, and meeting with senior leaders at the University, a campus-wide vote was held in March 2021 to formally rename the Hall.
With 4465 votes cast in this Preferendum, students decided that Dorothy Kuya was the perfect fit. Born and brought up in Liverpool, Dorothy Kuya was a tireless campaigner for racial equality throughout her life. She was the city’s first community relations officer, a driving force in establishing Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum in 2007, and in instigating the annual Slavery Remembrance Day. Her legacy is now celebrated on our campus, helping create a more inclusive and diverse University for all students.
Celebrate Dorothy Kuya this Black History Month:
Writing on the Wall and National Museums Liverpool are launching a major Creative Heritage Project to explore and catalogue the personal archive and library of activist and educator, Dorothy Kuya. This is the place to go if you want to learn more about Dorothy Kuya, who she was, what she did and what she stood for, and why her name has been embedded into our campus’ history.
This event is being advertised as part of the Guild’s Black History Month 2022 work. More info, including access to other events like this can be found on our BHM page here.
Continue to Make a Change:
If you’re keen to follow in the footsteps of past student change-makers, our online Change It platform gives each and every student the opportunity to share ideas which will have a positive impact on your time at University. Tell us what your suggestion is – no matter how big or small – and we will use our democratic processes to support your suggestion every step of the way. Your idea could be the next catalyst for change on our campus – submit your idea now, and students could be discussing your proposal at our next Guild Summit!
