Black Cantabs: History Makers exhibition opens at Cambridge University Library

“The indelible mark black alumni have left on Cambridge, and the world" is the focus of the stunning photography exhibition

A portrait of St John’s graduate Justina Kehinde Ogunseitan is now on display alongside fourteen other trailblazing black Cambridge graduates in the University Library.

“The indelible mark black alumni have left on Cambridge, and the world" is the focus of the stunning photography exhibition of portraits of 15 notable black Cantabs in the halls of the library. The exhibition runs until December 22, 2018 and is free and open to the public.

Portrait of Justina Kehinde

Exhibition visitors view the portrait of Justina Kehinde. Image credit: Sir Cam

Justina Kehinde is an award-winning poet and jazz-singer

Featuring images of novelist Zadie Smith, MP Diane Abbot and actress Thandie Newton, the exhibition Black Cantabs: History Makers opens the main Library building to the public for the first time, and celebrates 260 years of Cambridge education for black Cambridge students and graduates, from the 1700s to the 21st century.

Justina Kehinde is an award-winning poet and jazz-singer. She read English Literature and Social Anthropology at St. John's where she made theatrical history directing acting and co-producing the first all-black all-female production on a Cambridge stage, Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf (2012), and the South African musical 'Sophiatown' (2014).

A man takes a photo of a portrait

A visitor take a photo of the portrait of Thandie Newton. Image credit: Sir Cam.

The exhibition has been organised by the President of the Black Cantabs Research Society

She co-founded the University's first BME women's forum 'FLY' and went on to work in public health before writing and directing her first original play 'UMUADA'. A member of the Young Vic Directors programme, she continues to explore unheard stories.

The exhibition has been organised by Surer Mohamed, President of the Black Cantabs Research Society, in partnership with Cambridge University Library.

Published: 02/10/18

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